FA Vase Fifth Round

Punjab United 2 - 0 Fisher
Saturday 7 February 2026 - 15:00

Punjab United 2-0 Fisher
Saturday 7 February
FA Vase Fifth Round

Attn: 247
Photo Credit: Dave Anderson – full album here

Fisher’s history making FA Vase run came to end at the last sixteen stage in rain sodden Gravesend, as a heavy pitch saw them fall to a 2-0 defeat to a Punjab United side equipped far better for the conditions. Fisher were unable to get their passing game going and fell to two first half headers as their hosts mastered a more direct approach required.
Fisher were able to name a strong squad, with Jack Gibbons recovering from injury to return at right back, Flavio Jumo back providing energy in midfield and Jacob Katonia back in the starting line up to add some power to the front line. Conor Darwish was also fit enough for a place on the bench after a six week absence.
Fisher gave up the slope advantage having won the toss, and this proved an error in a game where the first goal was clearly going to be key, allowing their hosts to make the better start and pin Fisher into their own territory, with long throws sent deep into the Fisher penalty area, from the first few minutes. An early flicked header by Campbell passed just over the crossbar from a dangerous cross from Edwards and the same player wasted a second headed chance when allowed too much space in the box. Issac Ogunseri then had to clutch another looping header as Punjab made all the early running.
Fisher’s first chance saw Jacob Katonia play the ball inside to Tom Jones, but Bushell saved the shot easily low to his left, before seeing another shot blocked by a defender during Fisher’s next foray forward as the visitors finally eased into the game. However, on twenty minutes this was undone as they fell behind. Edward’s corner from the left was cleared back to him and sending the ball back into the box found Jack Hopkins, who was given too much space in the middle and rose to bury a header into the top corner of the net.
Fisher were struggling to cope with the aerial threat and four minutes later fell further behind. A misplaced pass, as Fisher looked to counter, saw the ball fed to Edwards and his delivery, this time from the right, was met by Will Johnson-Cole, who under insufficient pressure was able to plant his header into the top right corner. Fisher tried to battle back and Flavio Jumo sent in a powerful drive from outside the area after cutting inside that brought out a good low save. Shortly before the break a strong tackle on Tyron Mbuenimo saw Monger booked, which on another day may have been a red, and leaving the Fisher midfielder bravely playing on with a badly gashed shin.
Conor Darwish came on for Stephan Richard Kingson at the break and in combination with the slope advantage this did solidify Fisher’s back line as they set about finding a way back into the game. Their first opportunity saw a Jones free kick from the right pass through a crowd of players where Darwish’s poke goalward was gathered by Bushell. Festos Kamara flicked a header over the crossbar after rising well to meet Mbuenimo’s cross. Jack Gibbons then arrived in the box to meet Jumo’s lay off and fizz a shot just past the post, as Fisher started to build up a head of steam. Substitute Christopher Ojemen added some threat on the left and his low cross should have been turned goalward by Jumo but the bobble off the cutting up pitch took the ball out his feet, before Ojemen drove into the Punjab penalty area, after profiting from a loose clearance, but blazed his effort over. A moment of quality from Sha’mar Lawson, who from 35-yards out flicked up the ball and then rifled a right-footed volley which alas was straight at Bushell. For all Fisher’s territorial advantage through the second half, they rarely looked like breaching a doughty home defence and the final minutes ticked by as Fisher’s Vase dream faded.

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