Match Report: Deal Town 0-0 Fisher

Deal Town 0 Fisher 0

Fisher opened their Southern Counties East Premier Division campaign with a hard fought draw on the Kent coast. Manager Allan Fenn gave nine players their debuts with only skipper Rob Brown and returnee Ashley Wright having previously worn a Fisher shirt, but despite the unfamiliarity of the side Fisher were well worth the point and will feel they had chances towards the end of the game to earn a win.

The early exchanges saw winger Billy Brown go close twice after powerful runs with a fine save at the other end from goalkeeper Chris Clark, tipping away a long range effort, sandwiched in between Brown’s efforts. Having defended a couple of early corners from the hosts, Fisher exerted pressure of their own and from a series of corners and free kicks caused some alarm in the Deal area, with one in-swinging delivery from Chris Lockwood bouncing out for a goal kick off the top of the cross bar. A rasping drive from former Lithuanian Under 18 international Karolis Atutis shortly before the break, which flew inches past the upright with the keeper looking beaten was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in an even first spell.

Isaac Amoah at right back was withdrawn at half time and Danny McCarthy brought on to bolster the forward line with Luke Thomas dropping back in the back four. The switch appeared to allow Fisher to play higher up the pitch and both McCarthy and Brown made good breaks down either flank supported by Ashley Wright and Thomas constant overlapping but the final ball into the box never quite fell at a the feet of a Fisher player.

As the half went on Deal’s attacking menace reduced with centre halves Ade Oluwo and Luke McLeavy in imperious form, winning every header and looking an accomplished pairing rather than two debutees playing alongside each other for the first time. From one Oluwo interception Fisher produced the move of the match as several neat passes moved the ball up field and some quick give and go passes between Rob Brown and Billy Brown played in Atutis who saw his effort from twelve yards well saved by the Deal Town keeper. A similar move ended with Rob Brown also bringing the keeper into action as Fisher pressed to break the deadlock. Further good passing from the back released McCarthy down the right but as he tore away from his marker he opted to shot rather than play in an unmarked Atutis and his effort flew wide.

The final chance fell deep into stoppage time when a high ball into the box saw the keeper loose the ball under pressure from substitute Luke With but Atitus’ follow up lacked sufficient power and the chance was clawed away by the recovering keeper forcing Fisher to settle for a point.

All in all an encouraging start for the new look side with many positives to take into Tuesday’s home game against Welling Town.

Line Up: Chris Clark, Isaac Amoah (Danny McCathy), Ashley Wright, Chris Lockwood, Adebola Oluwo, Luke McLeavy, Luke Thomas, Jacob Katonia (Julio Da Mata), Karolis Atutis, Rb Brown (Luke With), Billy Brown. Unused subs: David Olakoyun, Christian Villanucci

Deal Town 0-0 Fisher
Saturday 3 August 2019
SCEFL Premier Division

Attn: 258