such uninhibited football in the wake of the disappointment of Wednesday’s FAW Premier Cup Final defeat against The New Saints.  Cynics might say Fisher were ripe for picking off, having now picked up just two points in eight games, but our visitors also deserved credit for playing attractive football and posing plenty of threats with their attacking skills.

 

County looked full of confidence from the start with Jason Bowen and the recalled Sam O’Sullivan both full of invention out wide while Craig Hughes did not stop running all night and took his goal tally to the important benchmark figure of 20 for the season.

 

It was Fisher right-back and captain ANTHONY RIVIERE, often a scourge of County in his Welling days, who was first on the score sheet when he turned a Bowen cross into his own net in the 15th  minute.  Riviere, who has always been noted more for his attacking than his defending, soon atoned by setting up CHARLEY HEARN’S 22nd minute equaliser, but O’SULLIVAN soon set County on their way again with a smart finish after good work from Hughes.

 

JEFF GOULDING, Fisher’s recent forward signing from Yeading, held off Ian Hillier to restore parity by half-time and it was a very deflated County who disappeared for their half-time oranges and pep talk from Beads.  Whatever the manager said should be bottled and stored safely for future use because County returned with renewed confidence and quickly gained the upper hand again.

 

This was despite the second half absence of influential skipper John Brough, whose head wound sustained against TNS once again started bleeding, but Stewart Edwards seized the opportunity to impress alongside Hillier and in front of keeper Jacob Giles who was making a league debut for County

 

A fine move down the right between Bowen and Steve Jenkins set up HUGHES who finished confidently in the 5oth minute and the coup de grace was the best goal of the six, created by O’Sullivan and scored by CHARLIE GRIFFIN in the 71st minute which finally ended Fisher resistance.

 

Lee Fowler will be pleased with his County debut alongside Nathan Davies, and he must be the about the 100th midfield partner our appearance record holder has had.  Fowler complemented Davies with his box to box running and work rate,

and this pairing could work well for us.

 

Line Ups

County: Giles, Jenkins, Searle, Davies, Brough (Edwards HT), Hillier, Bowen (Leek 76), Fowler (Evans 84), Griffin, Hughes, O’Sullivan.  Subs not used: Holdsworth, Ovendale.

Fisher: Nicholls, Riviere (Heeroo HT), C Piper, Hickey (L Piper 77), Hudson, Sinclair, Martin (Carew 67), Hearn, Goulding, Tomlin, Barr.  Subs not used: Weston, Roberts.

 

Goals:

County: Riviere (15 og), O’Sullivan (24), Hughes (50), Griffin (71).

Fisher: Hearn (15), Goulding (35).

 

Cautions:

County: Griffin (45+2 dissent).

Fisher: C Piper (73 foul).

 

Officials:

Referee: Derek Eaton (Tewkesbury)

Assistants: Andy Locker and Mark Russell.

 

Attendance: 655

 

Man of the Match:

County: Craig Hughes.

Fisher: Jeff Goulding.

 

Match Rating:

4/5.