Match Report: Fisher 2-5 Westfield – FA Cup Replay

Fisher 2-5 Westfield
Tuesday 8 August
FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round – Replay

Scorers: Manny Shoderu (3 mins), Lewis Duberry (9 mins)
Attn: 152
Matchball Sponsor: Millwall Community Trust

Fisher’s FA Cup campaign ended in this Extra Preliminary round replay as Isthmian League side Westfield came from two goals down to turn the game around and win 5-2 in a game full of incident.
Fisher made four changes from Saturday’s drawn game in Woking, with Tobi Irefin, Mark Chidi and Ezekiel Miller all on the bench after picking up slight knocks and Tyron Mbuenimo unavailable. In came Jojo Kinzonzi on the wing, Liam Miller and Joseph Adweunmi in defence and Lewis Duberry in midfield with Prince Imoru moving up into the holding role.
Despite the changes, Fisher flew into the game with some breathtaking attacking play and were in front inside three minutes as great work by Jojo Kinzonzi down the left saw him get round the full back and slip the ball inside for Manny Shoderu to thump the ball home from ten yards out.
Westfield could have replied almost immediately when a free kick was sent into the box and Jackson beat Amedu to the ball, only to see his header flash wide. It was Fisher though who were to add to the score. Good hold up play from Eniye Amgbaduba fed Billy Brown on the right and he twisted and turned his marker before laying the ball into the path of Lewis Duberry, who celebrated his return to the side by sweeping it first time into the far corner, to double Fisher’s advantage with just nine minutes on the clock.
The good start was quickly pegged back though as in a breathless opening Westfield got a penalty out of nothing as a ball across the penalty area brushed across Joseph Adewunmi and bounced off his arm for a clear cut penalty which was smashed straight down the middle by the Westfield cnetre forward, Baxter to halve the deficit.
The turning point of the game came three minutes later. Another flighted cross into the box was claimed by Sam Amedu who was clattered by a Westfield player whilst airborne. The big keeper was clearly in a lot of distress and received lengthy treatment on the pitch before being helped off and after his condition deteriorated further in the dressing room an ambulance was called.
With no keeper on the bench Prince Imoru donned the gloves. Fisher still looked to attack with Billy Brown causing Westfield problems down the right and from one cross substitute Ezekiel Miller forced a save from the Westfield keeper. Just past the half hour mark Westfield drew level, as slick move allowed them to release Didi Ndombe who outpaced the Fisher back line after a sublime first touch and slid the ball past Imoru. Shortly before half time Westfield completed the comeback, turning the game right around when in a similar move to the second, Adaje raced clear and calmly slotted past the advancing Imoru.
With Amedu still receiving treatment from paramedics in the changing room at half time, the Fisher team talk took place by the dugouts and whatever was said seemed to briefly work as Fisher came out strongly for the second half and a rasping drive from Miller drew a first class diving save from the Westfield keeper. Miller then got his head to a well delivered corner but got a little too much on it and the ball went over the bar. However, Fisher’s attempts for an equaliser were derailed when Westfield added a fourth to seal the game as some slick build up play allowed Ndombe to add his second from close range.
Fisher wouldn’t lie down though and substitute Kyron Cooper, who had replaced Lewis Duberry who limped off after a heavy challenge, turned well to make space and fire off a blistering drive that the keeper again pushed away well with strong hands.
With twenty minutes to play, there was concern or Eniye Amgbaduba, who had been involved in a clash of heads earlier ad the big forward went down to ground whilst awaiting a Westfield corner to be taken, Another lengthy delay saw him stretchered off and eventually treated by the same ambulance crew dealing with Sam Amedu before a second ambulance arrived, although he was able to leave his ambulance after treatment, with the other ferrying Amedu to hospital for checks.
When play resumed Miller almost scored a spectacular goal as his long range effort beat the keeper but just flew wide of the post. But the game was over as a contest when Westfield added a fifth after Imoru dallied in clearing and his poor pass out only found Baxter who chipped home for his second of the night and Westfield fifth. Imoru then made amends and defied his stand in status with three standout saves late into injury time and with the clock almost striking ten, the final whistle brought and end to a difficult night for the Fish despite it starting so well.