Fisher battled back to earn a point on Community Day, having fallen behind in a disjointed first half performance.
The Fish were much improved after the break and Adam Wadmore converted a penalty with eight minutes left after Harvey Hanifan was felled in the box.
Fisher were forced to make some changes, with a number of players unavailable through work commitments, and Sam Ryan stepped up for his full debut in midfield. Wadmore moved in to the left-back position and, on his birthday, Marvin Alebiosu took the captain’s armband.
With the rain having abated, but overnight temperatures falling close to freezing, it was a bumpy, bouncy pitch at Champion Hill and in the early stages both sides struggled to control the ball and pass with accuracy. Deal put together the best move of the first ten minutes, which finished with Charlie Marsh half-volleying the ball wide.
Fisher were unable to create any openings, and too many moves broke down after two or three passes as the ball went astray. It was no surprise when Deal opened the scoring but it was an excellent goal that broke the deadlock. A corner on left was played towards a man on the edge of the box, who promptly dummied and allowed the ball to run to an onrushing Liam Quinn. Quinn curled a tremendous finish from 20 yards, giving Billy Hensman in the Fisher goal no chance.
Fisher improved a little after going behind, Jamie Taylor sending a shot wide after a good passing move and Sam Ryan shooting over from a corner. The Fish had a great chance to equalise as Wadmore made a late far post run to meet a corner but his unchallenged header missed the target. Just before the break Danny Willis received the ball with his back to goal and executed a superb swivel and shot from the edge of the box but it went narrowly wide.
Fisher managers Billy Walton and Martin Ford made a change at half-time, Bryan Zepo replacing Taylor. Zepo’s pace and skill up-front gave Deal a new challenge and Fisher were positive from the restart. Zepo had a chance to equalise from a Wadmore cross but the striker was offside. The Fish were exerting pressure but Deal were dangerous on the break and Richie Monan, who had another excellent game, made a last ditch clearance to nullify the threat.
Zepo was then involved in an excellent move as he set up Aaron Jeffery and it took a great save from Jon Sparks to preserve Deal’s lead. At the other end, Deal had a good shout for a penalty turned down as Ben Frempah challenged in the box but the referee felt that he had got a touch on the ball.
It was Hensman to the rescue next as he made a fantastic save to deny Deal as they broke in a 3-on-2 situation. And Fisher capitalised on his intervention, as substitute Harvey Hanifan broke through at the other end. Sparks rushed towards him and Hanifan sent his shot wide of the target – but was taken out by the Deal goalkeeper and the referee had no hesitation in deeming the late challenge a foul, and a penalty.
Wadmore stepped up to take the penalty kick, and his vicious shot to the keeper’s right gave Sparks no chance and put Fisher on level terms with eight minutes to go. That was pretty much the last real action of the game though Ryan Philpott could have won the game for Deal in the dying moments, but he sent his shot wide of the mark.
The point meant that Fisher extended their unbeaten run to four matches and have hauled themselves to within touching distance of the two sides above them in the table.
Fisher: Hensman, Olugbemi (Akers 54), Wadmore, Walton, Frempah, Taylor (Zepo 45), Monan, Ryan (Hanifan 69), Willis, Jeffery, Alebiosu. Unused Subs: Witter, Scott
Attendance: 100
