MATCH REPORT: VCD Athletic 2-0 Fisher

VCD Athletic 2-0 Fisher
Tuesday 10 September 2024
SCEFL Premier Division

Attn: 110

A battling performance from an injury hit side was not enough to pick up any points as Fisher went down 2-0 to top of the table VCD Athletic on a wet and windy night in Crayford.
Manager Ajay Ashanike was forced to make five changes from Saturday’s win with Amadu Kanu, Ayuub Ali, Ed Sata, Diego Maseka and Perez Goumou all coming into the starting eleven as the relentless midweek programme took its toll on the squad. Dreadful traffic conditions and rail issues also hampered pre match preparations, so it was hardly surprising that the hosts made the better start. There was though an element of good fortune in their seventh minute opener as after picking up a loose clearance up just inside the Fisher half they fed Bethel Gboda who in firing in a shot saw it flick off a Fisher foot and loop into the top corner giving Isaac Ogunseri no chance, with the initial strike looking covered.
Fisher were just inches away from an immediate response when Diego Makesa, arriving late in the box, was just unable to get on the end of a fine cross from Perez Goumou, after the burly winger had made good progress down the right, when released by Jack Gibbons. With the wind swirling and causing both sides difficulties chances were few and far between, bar a few long range efforts from either side. Fisher though continued to probe with Courtney Barrington and Armani-Jordan Martin both seeing plenty of ball in and around the VCD penalty area, but veteran keeper Andy Walker was well placed to collect the low shots when they came in.
Fisher changed shape at half time, reverting to a back three, with Amadu Kanu making way for Abdoulaye Ly Athie. The change worked well, as Fisher spent much of the second-half on the front foot. Seven minutes after the restart Walker made a fine save as Diego Makesa fired in a low drive following good work by Goumou. At the other end Ogunseri made excellent save when palming away a fierce shot from Ollie Freeman as he broke down the right.
Fisher continued to press, with Jack Gibbons and Ed Sata now revelling in the wing back roles, providing an endless supply of balls into the forwards and the looked to have released Goumou on goal, but the slippery turf saw him lose his footing as he was set to race clear. It was to be his last contribution to the evening as Kristian Cato-Barrett replaced him. Fisher with them presented with their best chance of the night as a loose clearance from Andy Walker saw Courtney Barrington instinctively hit the ball first time back towards the goal, and his lofted effort just failed to dip sufficiently and hit the crossbar to spare Walker’s blushes, denying Barrington a deserved goal for his live-wire performance. Kristian Cato-Barrett was then sent free down the right but was forced wide by the towering Fitchett before he could get his shot away, as Fisher continued to try and find a way back into the game with constant pressing.
Thomas Ngegba, back from a month working abroad came on to bolster Fisher’s attacking options, replacing Ayuub Ali, who had worked tirelessly in midfield, but they were being held by a well marshalled and strong VCD defence. Ogunseri again saved well to keep Fisher in the game, diving low to his right, but could do nothing about VCD’s second goal six minutes from time as Ollie Freeman swivelled onto a loose ball to fire home in a crowded penalty area.
Fisher looked to rally in the closing stages, but the second goal had taken the stuffing out of them and they struggled to create any further clear cut chances as VCD secured the game. The scoreline was tough on the Fish, who put in an excellent performance that on a different night could easily have seen them take a share of the spoils.