Snodland Town 0-0 Fisher - We're still in touching distance from the play-offs, which is massive for us and that's where we want to be at the end of the season, says Fisher boss Ajay Ashanike

Snodland Town 0 – 0 Fisher
Location	Potyn's Sports Field, Snodland Community Centre, Paddlesworth Road, Snodland, Kent ME6 5DP
Kickoff	10/01/2026 15:00

SNODLAND TOWN  0-0  FISHER
Presence & Co Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 10 January 2026
Stephen McCartney reports from Paddlesworth Road

FISHER manager Ajibola Ashanike says his players gave him real heart after earning a well-deserved point against fellow play-off chasers Snodland Town.

Fisher goalkeeper Issac Ogunseri, 21, scooped the man-of-the-match award by making eight saves to deny the hosts, who dominated the entire second half, while kicking down the slope at Paddlesworth Road.

Snodland Town goalkeeper Justin Lee picked up his third red card of the season during their 5-2 derby day defeat at Larkfield & New Hythe on 27 December and began his four match ban – but Nathan Boamah came in to make his debut and kept a clean-sheet in this goal-less stalemate.

“First of all, absolute proud of the clean-sheet that we’ve got,” said Ashanike, who named himself as an unused sub after Kelvin Bakare’s name was removed from the team-sheet (as a substitute) before the team-sheet exchange.

“Last week we dropped points (a 1-1 draw at Kennington) as well, when we were in control of the game and it could’ve been a double clean sheet, which would’ve made it a good start to the New Year but to come away from home and getting a clean sheet against a side like that, is really good for me.

“They gave me heart. A couple of years ago, the Fisher side (that came here) would’ve crumbled and lost the game and this is not a place where we used to come here and do really well but from last season these boys have done really well, competing at every single stage of the game and they done really well for me today.

“The game plan was just to be solid, don’t allow them to bully us. We’re more experienced now.  We’re not kids’ no more. Just be physical really and play in the right areas and they listed to the game plan to the tee and we could’ve nicked it as well at the end of it.”

Snodland Town joint-manager Luke Jessup added: “How do you sum it up? A little bit deflated. I thought we deserved something out of the game, especially based on the second half performance. I thought we were exceptional, except for in front of goal.

“I’m sure you’ll give me the stats in a minute but I felt like we probably were in double figures for chances, there or there abouts, which was great.

“We showed great endeavour, creativity, energy but couldn’t put it in the back of the net.”

When asked whether it was one point gained or two dropped, Jessup replied: “Neither! I don’t see it as a point gained for sure. That’s the side I’m leaning to. Do I see it as two points dropped? No, I don’t!

“You could say that we haven’t had a bit of football. We looked like maybe we haven’t played too much football recently. Our cutting edge wasn’t quite there but the boys are fairly buoyant, as are we. I think it will be fair to say we were the better team over the course of the 90.

“What was our game plan? Our game plan was more about mentality. Games gone past where we’ve failed to take the chances or it hasn’t quite gone our way or we haven’t had the rub of the green or the decisions, we tend to maybe let our heads drop and that can be disappointing.

“Today was more about a mentality of keeping positive with the boys. Everything we do there’s a positive. Let’s look to the positives and focus on the positives. I thought our body language and the way we conducted ourselves was excellent. That’s one thing I will take away.”

The first-half was a low quality affair, with both teams treating the ball like a hot potato and often giving the ball away.

Snodland Town created the first opening, however, with five minutes and 33 seconds on the clock.

Winger Emmanuel Shoderu floated the ball in from the right towards the back post towards striker Charlie Sheringham, who stabbed his shot past the foot of the near-post from inside the six-yard box, as Fisher centre-half Michael Sarpong challenged.

“How do I reflect on the first half? It looked like two teams that haven’t played a lot off football. It was a little bit disjointed, a little bit up in the air, a little bit broken but I thought once we blew those cobwebs out, we certainly changed second half and I was really impressed second half, I must say,” added Jessup.

“I’m sure we can pick half-a-dozen, dozen chances here. Yes, ultimately, it’s not ended up in the net.”

Fisher should have done better with a chance on the counter-attack (15:30).

Lorenzo Duncan – who was on the right-hand side of a three-man midfield – played a long ball down the line which released Rafael Garcia down the right and he swept the ball inside to Tom Jones, who swept his first time right-footed drive across the keeper and past the far post from 16-yards.

“I thought we were dominating the game fully in the first half. I thought we were in control of the game and we had the better chances,” said Ashanike.

“We had a session on Thursday about counter attacking and that’s exactly what we did.  You can see the way we played.  They were well-drilled in what they had to do and they were unlucky. On another day, or a bit of (quality), we might’ve got a goal there.”

Jessup added: “They had a few opportunities and they were quite wasteful as well, as we were. That will be my sort of summing up of that.”

Duncan, who was often linking up well with Jones, clipped the ball towards the edge of the Snodland Town box and referee Kristian Laczala penalised Snodland’s right-back Harry Hudson for handball.

The impressive Jones stroked his right-footed free-kick over the five-man wall and just past the bottom of the near-post from 25-yards.

“I thought he was a bit cheeky there. He should be crossing it in but what Tommy’s doing for us this season, no one can complain,” added Ashanike.

“Tommy’s just unlucky there. I thought he’s actually got it right there. He got it up and over the wall and just missed the near post.”

Snodland Town were struggling to create anything while climbing Mount Everest but they did create a couple of chances inside stoppage time.

Firstly, left-back Kaylam Burgess recycled the ball back into the Fisher penalty area where six-goal winger Nathaniel Olawole steered his free header from 15-yards straight into Ogunseri’s gloves for a comfortable catch.

Ashanike added: “It wasn’t really stuff that was threatening. The header, that’s why Isaac’s there to save them. We wasn’t worried about that in the first half. I thought we were in full control of the game in the first half.”

Snodland Town’s attacking midfielder Bethel Gboda switched the play inside the final third over to Shoderu, who cut the ball back to Burgess, who took a touch before whipping in a left-footed cross, which was cleared out to central midfielder Sam Wood, who sliced his left-footed volley past the left-hand post from 22-yards.

Snodland had three former professional footballers in their side, all in their thirties in the shape of Wood (39), Sheringham (37) and Connor Dymond (31).

When asked what Wood, who has played in League One, League Two, National League, National League South, Isthmian Premier, Isthmian South East and this division during a glittering career,  brings to the side, Jessup replied: “Experience, attitude, a cool head, an eye for a pass, glue. He’s the glue of the team.

“I will say the game’s played at a different rate when he’s on the pitch. I feel when Woody’s on the pitch, it feels like a little bit more like someone’s conducting the orchestra. When he comes off we go a little bit more direct.”

The freezing cold crowd of 230 hoped for better quality in the second half.

Jessup said: “The football’s there. I think you can see, even with that lengthy lay-off, there’s still a little bit of football being played and good to see.

“What was said in the warm dressing room at half-time? We just spoke about being positive, finishing on a positive. Like if we are going to get something out of this game, or are we not, we’re going to do it in a positive fashion and patience.

“It might take half-a-dozen chances before we get a good chance but we’re going to stick with it.”

Ashanike added: “We changed the system a bit. We went to a four, which is what we’re used to because we know second half we’ve got to climb up that hill and that experience of the management team, climbing up the hill with three at the back is not really going to work for us and we needed bodies out wide and did really well and the game plan worked really good.  Just keep the same heart and changed the system a bit.

“I told them it can go either way. We can crumble or we can go out there and be solid out there and that’s what they gave second half.

“That slope is a nightmare! It’s a really big slope to climb, especially when you’re tired but what they gave me, they gave me real heart today, real heart.”

inevitably, with the home side kicking down the slope, Snodland Town dominated for large chunks of the second half and Ogunseri was outstanding in the Fisher goal.

Snodland Town wasted a glorious chance to break the deadlock after only 21 seconds when Gboda floated in a cross from the left into the middle where the unmarked Wood guided his header straight into Ogunseri’s gloves for a comfortable catch at head height.

“Yep, how many have we got? There’s going to be plenty of these, there’s going to be loads. Could we do more?” came Jessup’s reply as we started to reflect on his side’s glorious chances to score during a dominant second half.

Fisher lined up a two-man wall for Dymond’s free-kick by the left corner flag and Shoderu’s first-time shot at the near-post was tipped around the post by the Fisher goalkeeper (high to his right) after only 90 seconds play.

Fisher broke with a well-worked move when often isolated striker Festos Kamara played the ball in from the right into Jones in the middle, who switched the ball over to Alex Kozak on the left, who shifted the ball onto his left-foot (while being marked) and his rasping drive was beaten away by Boamah at his near post.

Ashanike admitted: “Second half, I thought they were better than us. They started off on the front foot.”

Jessup was asked about the goalkeeping situation at the club but insists Lee still has a future despite his awful disciplinary record.

“Justin’s also carrying quite a significant knee injury, so he’s going to be out for four to six weeks anyway,” revealed Jessup.

“Nathana Boamoah’s a Chelsea coach with the Academy there and a contact of Fred’s and Fred (Dillon, joint-manager) reached out to him and I’ll be honest, I thought he was excellent. He was very, very good and we hope we can keep him around.

“We’ve made the decision with regards to the goalkeeper role, we’re going to look for a replacement for Justo. That is something we haven’t done in the past. We’ve looked for maybe a stand-in or maybe someone like a bit-part player but I think for everyone involved now and just for a little bit of clarity, we are looking for a replacement.  We may have found Nathan today but more importantly I think it may be worth touch on Justo and how excellent he’s been for us and a leader.

“He’ll be first to admit that he hasn’t always given the best version of himself in regards to his attitude and his aggressive side, shall we say.

“I’ve got a lot of time for the guy and he has already this season saved us many points and earned us many points this season, so the door’s not shut. He knows that. We know that but he’s going to be out for four to six weeks anyway.”

Kozak played a one two with Jones down the left, as Hudson slipped over, before Kozak cut onto his right-foot and arrowed his shot over the top of the far post from 18-yards.

But Snodland Town were denied by a brilliant save from Ogunseri, as they continued to knock on the door, with only seven minutes and 22 seconds on the clock.

Dymond floated a free-kick some 40-yards from goal out to Wood, who was in space within the left-channel and he put in a great cross towards the back post where centre-half Daniel Vaughan drilled a low right-footed volley towards the bottom right-hand corner from 16-yards, only for Ogunseri to get down low to his left and hold onto the ball.

Jessup said: “I think it’s probably worth noting at this point is their keeper has had a particular good game and that says a lot about the game.

“The keeper’s done very well there especially on what you could say is a little bit of a bobbly pitch but  the cross was out on the wide left and it’s hung to the back post and Vaughany has caught it beautifully and the keeper’s done well. I’ve seen them hit the ground and pop over the keeper many a time.”

If I was running the Kent Messenger, the Fisher keeper would 100% be selected in their Team of the Week on Monday morning. Let’s see if he will be…

Ashanike added: “Issac in goal was absolutely immense! That was a great save by the way, absolutely great save.

“All we can do is just thank Folkestone for what they’ve been doing for us by allowing Issac to stay with us. If we didn’t have Issac that could’ve been a goal but really thankful to them that we’ve got Isaac in goal.

“I keep saying it to everyone, I think he’s one of the best, he’s in the top three goalkeeper’s in this League.”

Ogunseri did receive a big slice of luck (9:37) when Wood put in another cross, which was cleared out to Gboda, who drilled a right-footed volley from inside the box, which was spilt by the Fisher goalkeeper low to his left beside the post but the ball trickled inches past the foot of the post and behind for a corner.

“We were  right behind it, shot, keeper spurned it. Bethel’s run onto a ball late on the edge of the box, to put it in the bottom right and had a little bit of something on it and the keeper’s spilt it and another day that trickles in the bottom corner,” agonised the former Hollands & Blair boss.

Ashanike added: “That was a good shot. Let’s be honest, it’s a real good effort. If someone’s shooting and no-one’s actually closing hm down, you can’t really look at Isaac – but again he done well and we got the good of the luck today.”

Dominant Snodland Town were to be denied by another big save from the outstanding Ogunseri (11:37) when Sheringham dropped deep before playing Shoderu through on goal in a one-v-one and the keeper stuck out his right leg to ensure the ball was diverted past the far post and behind for the home side’s third of seven corners.

“Sustained periods of pressure, which is something we speak about. It doesn’t have to happen straight away, the best teams will stick at it and stick at it and wear you down and create loads of chances. We’ve had plenty there,” admitted Jessup.

“There’s enough quality on that pitch, there was more than enough quality.  We spoke about it before the game. Everyone’s just got to do their job. The keeper’s got to start making less mistakes and stay on the pitch. The full-backs have got to make sure they’re tracking their men. The centre midfielders have got to create more chances and working both ways but forwards have got to start taking those chances.

“They know that, we know that. There’s no pressure building. I don’t see it like that at all. It’s just more of a case of we’ve got to start raising these levels if we want to do bits this season.”

Ashanike added: “That reminds me of (Manchester United goalkeeper) Peter Schmeichel in 1999 when he used to come out and spread his legs like that. That was an absolutely great save from him.”

Sheringham then released Gboda straight down the middle of the pitch and Ogunseri advanced off his line and make another big vital save (13:14).

Fisher – who played with three centre-halves, two wing backs, three in midfield and two attackers in the first half – before switching to a 4-5-1 formation after the interval – were struggling to create going up the hill.

“When you go away from home against a team that’s going to be physical and all they want to do is play long and all they want to do is bully you, if you can take that away and you can stand up tall and match it, then you’re not going to lose the game,” explained Ashanike.

“That’s something that I’ve had to learn as a manager as well, is we’ve got to match that physicality and not fold. It takes one person to fold, like I said to them in the changing room and all the game plan goes out of the window.

“From 11 players, to the three who came off the bench today absolutely stood up tall to the battle, which I’m really proud off.”

Jessup throw on Matthew Self (wide left) and striker Christopher Alhassan – and both failed to impress but when Venceslas Bola came on for the final 10 minutes, he was often linking up well with Olawole, the right-winger.

Fisher almost grabbed the victory with 35:53 on the clock.

Hudson fell to the ground after using his head to clear his lines and Jones took a touch, cut the ball onto his right foot and curled a sublime shot across Boamah and agonisingly against the base of the far post from 18-yards.

“What an effort there, what an effort from nothing. Like he had no reason to shoot. He had no chance to shoot but he found out that one year that he can always find,” said Ashanike.

“If you won it today, would anyone would have said anything? No. It would’ve been a great three points away from home – but I will take the point really.”

Jessup added: “I didn’t feel like it was our day and when I see them breaking I just had that horrible feeling that it’s going to have a ricochet and go in – or we’re going to give a rubbish handball or there going to have a moment of brilliance and another day that sneaks in the side netting.”

Dymond put in another set-piece into the Fisher box and Self looped his header into Ogunseri’s gloves for a comfortable catch (44:37).

Ashanike subbed Kamara (46:47) for Ekow Amaquandoh and the striker had one late chance to snatch the points (47:24) but failed to take it as both sides had to settle for a point.

“I’m massively, massively happy with the point. We’ve started the New Year unbeaten and that’s what we want to do,” said the Fisher manager.

“No one gives you a chance in this League. No one ever gives you points in this League easily, so if you’re getting a point on the board, that’s a point that you need to get and we’ve still got games in hand.

“Snodland had to win today. It was all on them to try to win today and the pressure’s all on them to win and all our pressure is to focus on what we’re doing and just chipping away and see where it takes us.”

This was certainly a case of two-points dropped for Snodland Town, who lacked quality in front of goal when it mattered and it may cost them a place in the play-offs come the end of the season.

There were wins for Whitstable Town, Rusthall and Sutton Athletic in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division promotion race, while all of the five sides beneath the play-offs all drew, while Larkfield & New Hythe and Bearsted were without a game and Larks chairman John Michel and the Bearsted management team were in attendance here.

Jamie Coyle’s Whitstable Town remain at the summit with 56 points from 22 games and are on course to win the title and promotion back into the Isthmian League South East Division after a four-year absence.

Fraser Walker and Tony Reid’s Larkfield (45 points from 22 games), Jimmy Anderson’s Rusthall (40 points from 19 games), Kevin Stevens’ Bearsted (37 points from 20 games) and Sutton Athletic (33 points from 22 games) are in the play-off zone tonight.

Holmesdale (33 points from 24 games), Punjab United (32 points from 21 games), Fisher (31 points – eight wins, seven draws and five defeats) Snodland Town (31 points – nine wins, four draws and seven defeats) and Erith & Belvedere (29 points from 22 games) make up the top 10.

Both manager’s were asked to reflect on their current position in the table.

Jessup said: “I will say we’re perfectly placed. If you would’ve given us two points off the top five and we’re looking at our run-in, we’re particularly happy with it and something we’ve spoken about, we’re content.

“You’re not looking past Whitstable or Larkfield. Rusthall have got three games in hand and they won again today and then I think it’s anybody’s (for a place in the play-offs).

“It’s anybody’s from Bearsted down, Sutton. It’s going to be telling. It is going to be telling. Three points, all off a sudden you’re a point clear in the play-offs. You probably think Holmesdale might fall away. Punjab are a little bit, but yes, I’m content with where we are.

“It’s amazing how two results changes it but that’s on the assumption that Rusthall and Bearsted continue. Sutton have been struggling recently and they got a 2-1 win today. We’re happily placed.

Ashanike added: “We’ve made (our ground at) St Paul’s no one wants to come to, which is good. As long as we’re picking up points away from home, we should be ok.

“We’re still in touching distance from the play-offs, which is massive for us and that’s where we want to be at the end of the season.”

Jessup and Fred Dillon take their side down to basement side Hythe Town on Tuesday night to contest a Challenge Cup Third Round tie at Reachfields Stadium – with the winners travelling to Bearsted in the Quarter-Finals on 20 January.

“I see they’ve signed Gil Carvalho and a few other big hitters down there, so fair play to them,” said Jessup.

“I understand there’s a little bit of money floating around back down Hythe. Yes, we’re excited, we’re going to have to make a few changes. Like I suppose most teams will have to do but we’re stronger than ever at the minute.”

Darren Beale’s side were held to a 3-3 home draw by Punjab United today and are six points adrift of safety with 15 games remaining.

Jessup revealed that Siji Akinlusi (calf), Liam Parle (knee), Alfie Powell (illness) and Robbie Roberts (knee) missed today’s game.

Fisher, meanwhile, travel to Windsor & Eton in The FA Vase Last 32 on Saturday.

Windsor & Eton knocked out Tunbridge Wells with a 3-1 win at Culverden Stadium in the last round.

They are currently in seventh-place in the Combined Counties League Premier Division North table (39 points from 18 games), two points adrift of the play-offs and beat Holyport 5-2 at Stag Meadow today.

The Royalists’ are currently on an impressive 16-match unbeaten run and not to give Rob Webb any clues on who isn’t available for the big game in Berkshire next weekend, this website will not disclose who is currently sitting on Fisher’s treatment table.

“It’s a massive day for the club, the players, the fans, the board. It’s a massive day for us,” said Ashanike.

“If the boys can stay focused and come out and come to the game and work hard, anything can happen in a Cup game.”

Just ask FA Cup holders Crystal Palace – who lost 2-1 away to Enterprise National League North side Macclesfield in The FA Cup Third Round today, as their defence of the trophy ended in HUMILATION, losing to a side that were 117 places beneath them in the football pyramid.

“You’ve seen what we’ve done so far in the cup. As long as we keep chipping away. Anything can happen in a cup game. Ninety minutes of football and if it’s a draw I believe we’ve got a massive chance (in the penalty shoot-out) with Isaac in goal,” said Ashanike.

“They’ve just got to make sure they look after themselves this week and next Saturday should be a really, really good game for everyone.

“That’s the first time we’ve been in the Last 32 of The FA Vase. We just want to go and enjoy it.  I’ve said to the boys if you’re enjoying football and you’re doing the basics really well, you said you can’t get to the Last sixteen? It’s just one game and we just have to keep ticking them off one game at a time – keep putting their bodies on the line for us and see where it takes us really.”

Snodland Town: Nathan Boamah, Harry Hudson, Kaylam Burgess, Connor Dymond, Josh Hill, Daniel Vaughan, Nathaniel Olawole, Sam Wood (Matthew Self 68), Charlie Sheringham (Venceslas Bola 80), Bethel Gboda, Emmanuel Shoderu (Christopher Alhassan 68).
Subs: Reggie Rye, James Teodorescu

Booked: Harry Hudson 67, Daniel Vaughan 75

Fisher: Isaac Ogunseri, Jack Gibbons, Alex Kozak, Stephan Richard Kingson, Donald MacAuley, Michael Sarpong (Christopher Ojemen 77), Nasereldene Crespo, Tom Jones, Festos Kamara (Ekow Amaquandoh 90), Rafael Garcia (David Mata 73), Lorenzo Duncan
Subs: Ajibola Ashanike, Omari Williams

Booked: Nasereldene Crespo 79

Attendance: 230
Referee: Mr Kristian Kaczala
Assistants: Mr James Folan-Young & Mr Tony Rawlings