Only a dubious offside flag and an outstanding goal line clearance stopped Fisher from claiming a deserved three points at VCD on Wednesday night.
The Fish took the lead twice through Damien Ramsamy long range efforts, but were pegged back both times by scrambled equalisers, and ultimately had to settle for a point at the home of one of the favourites for the league title.
Badar Mohamed, recovered from the back spasms that meant he could only take a place on the bench on Saturday, returned as young winger Jordan Green was rested. Jordan Clark, a recent arrival from Beckenham Town, started alongside Charlie Helps in central defence.
The Fish got off to a bright start, though VCD also looked lively in the opening exchanges. Marvin Alebiosu sent a shot over the bar, but Fisher soon had the ball in the back of the net. Damien Ramsamy worked himself some space on the left hand edge of the box with some neat footwork, and fired on goal. His shot fooled home keeper Jack Bradshaw with some wicked late movement and while Bradshaw got his hand to it he couldn’t stop the ball from ending up in the net as Fisher took the lead with ten minutes on the clock.
The lead didn’t last long, however, as Paul Gross bundled home an equaliser two minutes later. Keeper Billy Hensman will be disappointed at not dealing decisively with the cross that led to the goal – though this was the only aberration for the young custodian who otherwise impressed with his handling, decisiveness and command of the box.
Fisher didn’t let their heads drop and were straight back on the attack. Huseyin Budak, in his best performance in a Fisher shirt so far, tested the keeper from distance, and Alebiosu sent a header wide from a Ramsamy cross. The pressure told – again Ramsamy took advantage of space on the edge of the box, and this time his scorching 30 yard drive gave Bradshaw absolutely no chance. It was an outstanding goal – an early contender for goal of the season – and restored a deserved lead for the Fish.
VCD respnded to this setback and began to exert some pressure, forcing a number of corners that were dealt with well by the Fisher defence. But their best chance came from an error – Helps, who otherwise delivered an assured performance at the back, lost possession in the box and from the resulting cross a shot was smashed against the post when it looked easier to score. A lucky escape for the Fish, but the only moment of panic in an excellent first half.
After the break, Fisher secured the first chance as Ramsamy saw an excellent chance to secure his hat-trick blocked. VCD then pressed forward in search of an equaliser and Fisher struggled to keep possession. Again VCD won corners and free-kicks, but again Fisher defended well and they did not conceded a clear cut chance. The Fish continued to look dangerous on the break, and as the game wore on and the mist began to roll in players on both sides began to suffer the effects of cramp.
Steve O’Donnell, who also put in his best performance of the season, was forced off with cramp and his strike partner Mohamed also suffered and received lengthy treatment from physio Ally Maloney. Despite clearly being in pain, Mohamed returned to the pitch and shortly afterwards broke clear of the defence, rounded the keeper and placed what looked to be the winning goal in the direction of the net. But VCD right-back Jack Asbury had other ideas, pulling off an astonishing goal line clearance that eventually won his side a point.
That point was won with nine minutes to play, again a scrambled goal this time from a corner as Fish couldn’t clear their lines. Chris Hill scrambled the ball home from a couple of yards out, giving VCD an equaliser that perhaps their pressure deserved, although it was the only real chance created during the second half.
The Fish were left disappointed with the draw, but the team can certainly draw plenty of confidence from a performance that saw improvements at both ends of the park. Young defender Clark, on debut, was hugely impressive and Ramsamy’s recent form has demonstrated that he is able to both create and score goals.
Fisher: Hensman, Dixon, Aromona, Brown, Helps, Clark, Alebiosu, Budak, Mohamed, O’Donnell (Monan 67), Ramsamy (Green 63)
Attendance: 51
