sittvfish120404

Barr is the angel for Fisher

Sittingbourne 0-1 Fisher Athletic
Dr Martens League Eastern Division
Easter Monday, 12 April 2004
by Peter Pitts - www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

Ex Tonbridge player Hamid Barr's 86th minute free kick proved the difference between these two closely matched sides.

Up to that point neither keeper had been unduly troubled in a game dominated by two strong defences although the Brickies had struck the Fisher Bar four minutes before the Fisher goal was scored.

Sittingbourne were still without midfield duo Clint Gooding and Kieran Marsh and defender Joe Dowley, whilst Adam Douglas started his first full home game.

Sittingbourne, fielding two ex Fisher captains in Ben Taylor and Paul Manning, had slightly  the better of the first half but gave  Fisher keeper Alex O'Reilly little trouble.

Fisher's Terry Khan and Hamid Barr provided some entertainment for the Brickies fans after twenty minutes when appeared to strike each other after an argument, soon after Jamie Coyle had a golden
opportunity to put Sittingbourne ahead but from an unmarked position in front of goal he sent his header wide. At the other end Kevin Fewell,

Ben Taylor and Dean Hill all went for the same ball in the Brickies area and the ball rebounded over the bar.
Fisher were quite lively at times but always the final ball was poor and the Brickies regained possession, however all to often the ball was then punted into the Fisher area where the Fisher defence mopped it up.

The second half was just as cagey as neither side were making much progress against each others defence.
On 54 minutes a Manning free kick found Paul Ainsworth whose header was deflected for a corner. Another Manning free kick saw Ben Taylor's header blocked by the Fisher Keeper then Dean Hill  did well with a last ditch
challenge on Ray Powell as the Fisher striker threatened to break clear.

Buster Smissen was having a quiet game but on 73 minutes he headed over, then on 82 minutes the Brickies almost broke the deadlock when  they won a corner and Smissen beat everyone to the ball but his header thudded against the cross bar.

Two minutes later Richard Brady powered towards the Brickies area but James Campbell did well to get to the ball first.

Just as it seemed the game would stay deadlocked Dean Hill gave away an unnecessary foul just outside the area. Up stepped Hamid Barr to take the kick which he fired towards the top right hand corner of the goal and
despite getting his finger tips to the ball Fewell couldn't save the effort and Fisher had claimed all 3 points.
 
Sittingbourne: Fewell,  Taylor, Hill, Berry, Ainsworth, Campbell, Coyle, Douglas, Neal, Smissen (Cory 82 mins), Manning, Subs not used: Ashmore, Marshall, Beeney
 
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