Fisher 2-2 Welling Town
Match Report from ‘Non League Chronicles’
Welling we’re playing their second game of the league campaign and Fisher their third as the rest of the SCEFL Premier League enjoyed an afternoon playing in the FA Cup.
Eight minutes in and Courtney Swaby cut in from the Fisher left to thump a shot goalwards. The shot was comfortably saved by Welling custodian Dan Mamas at his near post.
Not to be outdone Welling’s Carl Oblitey burst past his man and fired down Dan Carpaninis throat for an easy save.
Malachi Coker playing upfront instead of his customary wide right role made himself a chance out of next to nothing when Welling’s Luke Coleman misplaced his pass into midfield. Coker was onto the error in a flash, after being forced wide he still managed to get an effort on goal as he was closed down by at least three players. His lobbed shot came back off the bar.
For Fisher fans it was great to see Jacob Katonia back in the black & white stripes. It was his shot that had Mamas scrambling across his goal. Sadly for Fisher fans it also went wide of the upright.
Jack Gibbons found himself with some time on the ball. He used that time well playing a defence splitting pass to Coker who almost got on the end it. Mamas read the through ball well and just got there in front of Coker.
On the half hour a Fisher corner was kept alive at the back post when skipper Sam Fitzgerald headed the ball back into the middle of the box. The onrushing Rob Brown just had the ball nicked off his toe as he bust a gut to get on the end Fitzys knock down.
Malachi Coker was a constant thorn in the Welling side winning a free kick that was wasted, then a sublime turn and low shot that just flew wide.
The most contentious issue of the half came when Katonia was bowled over in the box and instead of giving a penalty the ref waved everyone away – Luke Coleman a former teammate of mine now playing at centre half can consider himself a very lucky boy with that one.
Just as the half looked like it was going to end goalless Oblitey got away down the right and gave Carpanini in the Fisher goal no chance with a vicious angled drive that saw Welling go in leading at the break.
HT Fisher 0-1 Welling Town
Early in the second half Julio De Mata switched the play from right to left without even looking for Courtney Swaby. Swaby’s quick feet earned Fisher a corner that Mamas dealt with easily.
It was Swaby who next tested Mamas from distance. Mamas turning Swaby’s drive round the post. The corner was handled in the box and Fisher had a chance to equalise from the spot.
Up stepped Rob Brown who made no mistake. 1-1
Fisher were now on the front foot and looking to get there noses in front. A shot that went wide after a lovely flowing team move that went from end to end. Coker couldn’t wrap his foot around it.
A game that was certainly more huff & puff for both sides still hung in the balance going into the last third.
The tiring Jack Gibbons was replaced by Romanian Portaresco.
A dangerous Welling free kick had Carpanini rushing along his six yard box to punch clear when under pressure.
Rob Brown is replaced by Joseph Adewunmi who was pushed up front in an attempt to score a winner.
A wicked delivery from a Sarpong cross from the right had the Welling back four all at sea. As the ball bounced about in the box and on the edge of the box a rash Portaresco challenge causes a show of handbags from both sets of players. Portaresco and Sarpong earnt a booking a piece.
With time running out for both sides to find the winner a foul on Fitzgerald on the right was ignored. Welling took full advantage of Fitzgerald being out of position.
Julio De Mata charging back to defend but the wrong side of the player gave away a penalty with a rash challenge.
Up stepped the big lad Ryan Golding who smashed his penalty home and celebrated by getting his belly out after taking stick from the home fans. Fair play to him. 1-2
A late Fisher free kick was tipped over by Mamas. The corner was lifted into the mixer and sub Adewunmi headed home for the equaliser. It was now Desmond! 2-2
Fisher had two more chances to win the game in the six minutes that were added on. It wasn’t to be and the game finished a draw.
NLC MOM – Courtney Swaby (Fisher) – Lively
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Main Photo: Dave Anderson – Gallery