Sheppey United missed a chance to go level on points at the top of the table after a 2-2 draw with Fisher in an entertaining midweek clash.
Tough Conditions
On an extremely wet night it was hard to see either side getting much control of the ball and that’s exactly how the opening 30 minutes played out, scrappy and hard fought. Thankfully there was some action towards the end of the opening half.
Fisher created the first opening of the match that sparked the half into life. Right-back Luke Thomas intercepted well on the halfway and fed new striker Luzolo through the middle of the defence, the striker looked set to make an instant impact at his new club, only for Helge Orome to chase back and make a superb last ditch challenge to block the shot.
With five minutes left in the opening half, Sheppey created their own chance. A free-kick swung in from the left hand side was put low towards the back post, Fisher keeper Tommy Taylor looked to have it covered, but the poor weather conditions saw it slip and bounce off his chest into Sheppey forward Warren Mfula’s path.
Taylor did well to recover and managed to smother the shot preventing a cheap goal.
Right on the stroke of half time, Fisher took the lead. A brilliant corner swung in at the near post with plenty of pace from Thompson was met perfectly by big centre-half Sam Fitzgerald.
The Fish went in at the break a goal to the good and had given Sheppey plenty to think about at half-time, who themselves had struggled and didn’t look like a side towards the top of the table.
Sheppey Come Out Fighting
Whether it was a fiery half-time team talk or the Sheppey players getting into gear, the Kent outfit came out fighting in the second half.
The visitors had the equaliser just five minutes into the second half. This time it was Sheppey’s turn to score from a corner, another excellent delivery from Sheppey captain Billy Bennett was dealt with poorly by Fisher who failed to clear their lines.
Danny Divine wasted no time and smashed in from close range as the ball fell kindly for him 8 yards out.
The Sheppey turnaround was completed just five minutes after their equaliser. A slightly overhit pass looked to be destined for Taylor in the Fisher net, but forward Mfula showed great persistence and managed to get a touch before Taylor, who made contact and unfortunately for the young shot stopper there was only one outcome.
Captain Bennett stepped up to take the penalty which he fired down the middle to give Sheppey a 2-1 lead.
Fisher didn’t let their heads drop despite the opening exchanges in the second half and found their way back level on the 70th minute. A brilliant, clipped ball from a free-kick on the halfway line from left-back Temi Oladejo dropped all the way at the back post where that man Fitzgerald was again who brilliantly finished into the bottom corner first time.
Both sides looked to win the game in the final 20 but neither side could make the breakthrough. Another great showing from Fisher against one of the top sides in the division, the Fish will certainly be the happier of the two sides with a point.