The Hoops became the latest victims of Fisher’s recent surge up the SCEL Premier Division table as the home side made it seven wins in their last eight league games.
After a delayed journey to Rotherhithe Deal’s problems mounted when they fell behind after just two minutes with Rob Brown’s low drive deflecting into the net off Ben Cardwell. But the Hoops responded well to that early setback and they nearly equalised soon afterwards when Sam Wilson’s volley was cleared off the line.
And although Fisher were producing some slick passing movements on their 3G pitch the Hoops held firm until they suffered another blow with 35 minutes gone when Alfie Foster, deputising at centre-half for the injured Kane Smith, was sent off for a second yellow card offence.
It left Deal facing nearly an hour playing with 10 men against the team second in the table and although Wilson and Connor Coyne both went close either side of half-time, Fisher took a firm grip on the game with a second goal after 61 minutes. And it was a superb effort, Kushal Campbell-Parker receiving the ball on the edge of the area before turning sweetly to fire home off the underside of the bar.
With rain pouring down the Hoops’ heads could have dropped at this point but they kept battling away in search of some reward. Nothing however, would fall for them in the Fisher box and when Andy Miller’s 25-yard free kick flew inches wide in added time it summed up their frustrating day.
Manager Derek Hares said: “After going behind in the opening few minutes and then having to play for nearly an hour with 10 men it was always going to be an uphill battle but I couldn’t fault the boys’ attitude or commitment.
“Overall Fisher didn’t create a lot of chances and their first goal was a bit lucky because the shot was going wide until it deflected off Ben. But the boy took their second goal really well and Fisher aren’t second in the league for nothing.”
Deal: Tonkin, Foster, Hark, Maughan, Scott, C Miller, Munday, Rodgers (Chapman 68), Coyne (A Miller 75), Wilson, Cardwell (O’Brien 38).