SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER 2007
Blue Square South
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SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER 2007 Blue Square South |
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Following the massive disappointment of the defeat against Bath City, County were back on track against a youthful Fisher side who were second best in all areas, and this was probably our most convincing victory of the season.
The match was played in a very good spirit for which much credit goes to referee Ashvin Degnarain, whose performance met with universal acclaim, and his two assistants. At a time when officials locally and nationally have come under scrutiny, this referee looked relaxed and related well to players from both sides. Clear and decisive, he was always up with play and communicated well with his assistants. He had obviously set out to enjoy the game and he provided a moment of humour when the predominance of black in the Fisher strip presented a possible clash with his kit. He quickly realised the problem and borrowed a yellow training bib to wear over his jersey, and set the tone for the afternoon by exchanging some banter with the benches. Outstanding young officials are essential to the game’s future and this evidence suggests that Mr Degnarain will be one to follow.
CHARLIE GRIFFIN gave us a 10th minute lead when he timed his left wing run to stay onside to receive Lee Fowler’s pass and he cut in and fired an angled drive under keeper Simon Overland. Fisher were enterprising and tried to play passing football on a good playing surface but though they occasionally worked Glyn Thompson, the County keeper was not called upon to make more than what for him were routine saves.
County sought the second goal which was likely to kill off their opponents and spent long periods of the second half camped in home territory playing some very good passing football. Comparisons with Arsenal may have been an exaggeration but one second half move involving Jason Bowen and Steve Jenkins and resulting in a well-saved Craig Hughes header provided a thrilling passage of play for the away following who almost doubled the attendance. HUGHES continued his improvement from Wednesday’s performance against Bath and deserved his goal on 75 minutes when he collected a throw-in from Damon Searle on the left with his back to goal and turned and fired another angled shot which whistled past Overland.
County were in complete control and an impulsive handball from Fisher’s Tom Pepper in the 81st minute gave BOWEN the chance to demonstrate the penalty taker’s art for the first time this season and make up for the only spot-kick failure of his career at the same venue last year. Bowen was back to his very best after a quiet few games and Fisher’s new signing from Hayes & Yeading, Gilbert Nuako had a torrid debut against him. The left-back appeared to be struggling with a second half injury but was given no respite from his new manager as home boss Wayne Burnett used all of his substitute options to strengthen other areas of the field.
It mattered not though, because while WES THOMAS provided a late consolation from substitute Royane Benjamin’s left wing cross, Fisher were a well-beaten side by then. The win takes us up to third in the table and puts us well in touch with leaders Eastbourne whose FA Cup success offers them the kind of distraction we would have welcomed from Blue Square South action. It will also mean a rearrangement of our schedule league visit to East Sussex on 10 November.
Man of the Match: Fisher: Simon Overland (overworked keeper - special save from Guppy). County: Jason Bowen (back to his best) Special mention: Referee Ashvin Degnarain, and assistants Graeme Ions and Nolan Wilde. |
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© Colin Jeremiah |
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