FA Vase Second Qualifying Round

Fisher eased into the first round proper of the FA Vase with an impressive victory at home against Norton Sports.
Rob Hughes opened the scoring when he fired past Nick Shaw from the left-edge of the six-yard area. Rafa Akala doubled the lead with a long-range effort, before Hulusi Mustafa smashed in a third to ensure victory in the second half.
Harry Goodger wasted Norton’s best chance ten minutes before half time when he met a Ryan Rook cross at the near post but could only force a comfortable save from George Kamarasi in the Fisher goal.
Had that gone in with little more than 10 minutes to go until half-time, then the story and result could have been very different as the game in truth was very evenly matched.
As it was though, that miss cost Ben Taylor’s side dearly as they soon found themselves two goals behind as Fisher had two chances in quick succession and took and scored both.
Hughes’s opener came against the run of play on 40 minutes after a constant period of pressure from Ben Taylor’s side. The tricky midfielder, making just his fourth start for the club since being released by Welling, placed his angled effort high into the roof of the net after George Savage’s cross evaded Akala and landed in the path of the 29 year old. Hughes provided the majority of Fisher’s attacking threat during the match, either playing along the left touchline or occasionally cutting through the centre to give the opposition a major headache.
For the second goal, a long ball from the Fisher back-line cut through the heart of the Norton defence and saw Akala out muscle Daniel Baverstock before lobbing the on rushing goalkeeper to find the net from 25 yards with just seconds of the half remaining.
Fisher got the third on the hour following a poor clearance by Norton substitute John Emmerson. Hughes collected the loose ball and played a neat pass inside to Hulusi Mustafa who drilled a half-volley across the keeper and into the bottom corner to effectively seal the win for the Fish.
Norton Sports dominated the last 10 minutes of play and should have scored when substitute Ashley Baverstock hit a 20 yard drive past the stranded George Kamarasi but against the foot of the Fisher post and clear.
Norton grew in confidence and enjoyed the majority of possession in the remaining passages although never really threatened the Fisher goal. Fisher soaked up the pressure and held on for the clean sheet and the victory.
Fisher will now play at home to Warlingham FC of the Combined Counties League on Saturday the 2nd of October in the first round proper of the competition.