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Fisher Athletic 2, Thurrock 0

FISHER'S hopes of reaching the Blue Square South play-offs continue after probably ending any outside chance Fleet may have had of achieving a top five finish themselves thanks to two second half goals from Luke Hickie and Andrew McCollin.

In a game of poor officiating and torrential rain, mistakes were rife with the home attack and away defence being outshone only by the referee.

After Thurrock captain Lee Flynn had an ambitious effort tipped wide by Danny Knowles in the Athletic goal for a corner, Fisher counter-attacked.

Last man Matt Paine slipped on the over-watered pitch to allow McCollin the freedom of the park but poor finishing from the forward saw his effort wide. Seconds later, Hickie gave McCollin the opportunity to redeem himself but yet again the forward shot wide.

Hickie continued to impress, cutting in from the right and waltzing through the Thurrock defence like a hot knife through butter. He once again played in McCollin who turned provider for Gavin Tomlin who smashed his shot well over the bar.

Thurrock began to get a grip on the game and the always-impressive Greg Lincoln almost set up the break the away side looked for, but Kenny Clark could not connect with his corner. Lincoln then set up Che Stadhart who headed straight at the 'keeper from the edge of the box.

Fisher's front trio of ex-Thurrock striker Wesley Thomas, McCollin and Tomlin combined putting pressure on Matt Bodkin whose mis-kick in the Thurrock box gifted Tomlin with another chance, but his shot was headed off the line by Phil Anderson.

Moments later, Fisher thought they had broken the deadlock when Tomlin squared to McCollin but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Thurrock should have had a penalty when David Bryant was fouled in the box by Gavyn Dayes, but the referee failed to punish the incident.

Dayes seemed to target the in-form Bryant for the 84 mins that Bryant was on the pitch before being substituted, and was only booked once for a high tackle in the first half despite continuing to be a thorn in the Fleet striker's side, and at one point running extremely close to a second booking after kneeing Bryant in the back.

On 53 minutes the home side finally broke the deadlock when great vision from left back Mark Wright saw play switched to Tomlin in the middle. His quick flick to the right was smashed home by Hickie to put the hosts in front.

Fleet manager Hayrettin changed from a 4-4-2 to 3-5-2 formation, replacing Anderson with right winger Daniel Tenkorang midway through the second half as Thurrock pushed for an equaliser. For a while it looked like an inspiring substitution as Tenkorang caused a threat down the flank, winning four corners in the space of five minutes.

With Fleet failing to create any chances, the home side took advantage and extended the lead. Tenkorang played the ball centrally to Bai Mas Lettejallow, whose cross appeared to be handled by Kenny Beaney.

The referee waved play on and Fisher broke clear. Tomlin slid the ball left to McCollin who finally ended his day of frustration with a goal.

The biggest cheer of the day came in the 89th minute when Fisher manager Wayne Burnett replaced Tomlin for his first appearance.

His first involvement was on the end of a mis-timed tackle by Lincoln which saw handbags at ten paces from both sides. There was no harm done, and aside to a ticking off for a couple of players from both sides, it was only Lincoln who was booked for the melee - his 10th of the season.

A win here today would have seen Fleet just four points away from the play-Offs thanks to the rest of the days results. However, the defeat leaves Thurrock nine points from the top five and although it will require a number of results going in the Fleet's favour, there is still a mathematical possibility.

Blue Square South, up to and in Sat, April 12

9:01pm Saturday 12th April 2008

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