Jacob Katonia’s sixth-minute goal gave Fisher a first win of 2023 as they edged Bearsted in their SCEFL Premier Division clash in Rotherhithe last weekend.
The goal was an outstanding effort starting with Conor Darwish winning the ball close to the corner flag in the Fish half. A neat exchange of passes allowed Isaac Thompson to take the ball up the pitch evading several tackles. Thompson then released Katonia who escaped the visiting defence as he dribbled down the left before he cut inside, got past another challenge and finished into the bottom corner.
Thompson twice went close to adding to the lead as the away side struggled to test Fish goalkeeper Sam Amedu.
Ajay Ashanike’s side continued to press for a second but Cedric Nganga had a chance to get it before the flag went up for offside.
Bearsted improved after the break but Michael Sarpong and Lewis Duberry put up an impressive barrier in midfield to protect their back four.
There was a setback for the hosts when Katonia was forced off with an ankle problem, Billy Brown coming on. Brown added plenty of energy to keep the Bearsted defence busy.
Darwish was then sin-binned for defence meaning the Fish had to play ten minutes with ten players.
Fisher have been beset by injuries this season and suffered yet another one when Joseph Adewunmi went off as a result of a heavy tackle. German Petrov came on.
The game then took a couple of twists as the referee picked up an injury and then there was a potential downpour, both of which raised the possibility of an abandonment. The referee was able to carry on after taking the ball to his face from a free-kick and the sides battled through the rain storm.
After being virtually a spectator, Amedu kept his concentration as the rain raged down to make a save in the final minute and ensure his side took the points and earned a first clean sheet in the league this season.
On Tuesday night, Fisher defeated Phoenix Sports 3-2 in the third round of the SCEFL Challenge Cup at St Paul’s.
Fisher are away at K Sports in the league this Saturday. Kick-off is 3pm.
Meanwhile, Stansfeld’s 2023 didn’t get any better as they lost 6-0 at home to Kennington in their Premier Division game.
Mo Cham (21), Kundai Munyama (43), Tom Scorer (64), Liam Middleton (65, 90) and Mitchell Harman (87) got the goals for the visitors.
The Stans dropped to seventh in the league with 31 points from 20 games. Fisher have 22 points after eighteen games.
Stansfeld travel to Whitstable Town in the league this Saturday for a 3pm kick-off.
Things haven’t got any better for Bermondsey Town, either, as they lost 5-0 at Snodland Town in the SCEFL First Division.
Ryan Cheek (3), Regan Corke (11, 31, 56) and Brad Webb (52) got the goals for the hosts.
Bermondsey host Greenways in the league this Saturday. Kick-off is 3pm. Entry to this game at St Paul’s is free for Ballers Academy members.
Former Fisher manager Dean Harrison was announced as the new manager of Bermondsey last weekend.