Match Report: Fisher 0-2 Holmesdale

Fisher 0-2 Homesdale
Monday 1 April
SCEFL Premier Division

Attn: 179
Matchball Sponsors: Millwall Community Trust – www.millwallcommunity.org.uk/
Photo Credit: Dave Anderson – Full Album

Fisher fell to a Bank Holiday defeat at home to Holmesdale in a very end of season affair. Goals in either half from the visitors were enough to sink the Fish, who failed to make the most of the lion’s share of possession and several good chances.
There was a first start for Joshua Duyile on the wing, after several cameo substitute appearances in place of the suspended Jacob Katonia and Mo Otuyo returned in goal. Tyron Mbuenimo also returned at right back with skipper Luke Thomas switching to the centre of the defence as Prince Imoru dropped to the bench with Andres Tobon also back in the squad amongst the substitutes.
Fisher saw plenty of possession in the opening few minutes, but without finding a final ball for the forwards, which was to be a mark of things to come. Flavio Jumo saw the first sight of goal, but his effort lacked power and was comfortable saved by Cameron Hall. Thomas Ngegba then saw a good chance blocked as Fisher made regularly raids down either flank with Duyile and Sam Sene-Richardson seeing plenty of ball.
Holmesdale settled into the game themselves and former Fish Wale Odedoyin was slipped in down the left channel but Otuyo came out well to block at the near post and turn the ball away for a corner. Otuyo was then required to tip over a dangerous header but from the resulting corner could do nothing as Odedoyin got in at the near post to outmuscle Michael Sarpong and head home to give the visitors the lead.
Fisher reacted well to falling behind and Luke Thomas headed over, Sarpong fired into the side netting and Ngegba forced a good save from Hall as they pushed for a quick equaliser. Further chances for Jumo, Sarpong and Duyile were all sent wide of the post and balls into the box lacked a target and were dealt with by a hard working Holmesdale back four ensuring the visitors went into the break with their one goal lead intact, despite spending much of the half on the back foot.
Fisher started the second spell in the same vein, with a lot of possession deep in the Daler’s half, but with the end product lacking enough venom to beat Hall. Fisher introduced winger Andres Tobon and replaced Ngegba with Ezekiel Miller at the head of the attack, but still could not force the equaliser. Nathan Tshola then saw his fierce effort tipped onto the crossbar and away for a corner.
Further changes with Charles Yiadom-Konadu and Prince Imoru coming on continued to see Fisher have a lot of ball and Luke Thomas’ good run down the right saw him pull the ball back where Miller’s hooked effort on the turn was smothered by Hall where it may have been better to have let the ball carry through to Tobon who looked better set to score.
Having not made the most of their territorial advantage, Fisher then fell further behind when a long diagonal ball deep into the Fisher box was skilfully hooked home by Albie Omara with fifteen minutes remaining.
Whilst Fisher continued to probe, the build-up play was laborious and lacked enough zip or pace to pull a determined defence about with the visitors seeing out the game with relative ease with Fisher unable to find a way through a crowded low block, despite the urging of the 179 in attendance.
The defeat leaves Fisher adrift in mid table with three games remaining in the league season with the visitors also safe from any relegation fears. A trip to fellow mid-table dwellers Lordswood awaits Fisher on Saturday.