Fisher’s superb goal sparks comeback

A fantastic free-kick from Joe Fisher set Kennington on their way to three points in a demanding trip to Sutton Athletic.

It was Kennington’s second visit to Hextable this season, having been beaten by Sutton’s tenants, FC Elmstead on the opening day of the Southern Counties East League Division 1 season.

The wind and rain made for difficult conditions for both sides, with Sutton adapting better in the opening exchanges, Luke Coleman’s 25-yard free kick forcing a diving stop from keeper Tom Barnes. However a similar effort just before the quarter-hour saw the hosts take the lead, after Craig Calvert brought his man down central to goal. John Woodcock’s shot was saved by Barnes, only for Arlie Desanges to react quickest and find the back of the net. At the other end, Tom Scorer held his man off well, but couldn’t keep his shot down. Scorer again came close before the half was out, running in on goal but was unable to connect at the vital moment.

Jed Smith drew another good diving stop from Barnes to deny Sutton a second goal. In the second half Sutton’s Luke Newman ghosted in at the back post on the slide, but was just off target. Meanwhile at the other end, Scorer was again an attacking danger, getting forward well down the right channel, this time being unlucky to drag his shot wide of Joe Hyde’s far post.

Fisher replaced Charlie Owen in the Ton midfield, and with it a switch in shape – and it was to soon pay dividends, as Fisher hit a sublime curling free kick from the right hand edge into the far corner to level. The opportunity was earned by the energetic Scorer who was brought down.

The goal brought a renewed confidence to Ton, with Sam Conlon’s header from inside the six-yard box crashing back off the crossbar only two minutes after the goal.

Conlon wasn’t to be denied again, stabbing home at the back post following a melee, for Kennington’s second.

Sutton pressed for an equaliser late on, but some good fortune and resolute defending from Adam Phillips and Tommy Penfold helped see their side over the line.

The result gives Ton their fourth win on the spin in all competitions going into Saturday’s FA Vase tie with Newhaven at Homelands. Kennington: Barnes, Stow, Greenfield, Phillips, Penfold, Brown, Clarke, Calvert, Owen (Fisher 56mins), Scorer, Conlon. Substitutes: Hughes, Finch, Haylock-Ashdown, Goddard, Fisher