Match Preview – Fisher v Crowborough

Bank Holiday Monday sees the Fish back at St Paul’s, with a fixture which means the world to both teams. Following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat away at table topping Ashford United, combined with an unexpected win for rivals Beckenham Town against Deal Town, Fisher slumped to the foot of the SCEFL Premier Division table once more – though still very much in the fight to escape the drop. Just three points separates the bottom 5, with two of the other sides in the mix having a significantly worse goal difference than us. Which would all be daunting enough, but today’s visitors Crowborough Athletic arrive into Rotherhithe and Bermondsey level on points with leaders Ashford, but 12 goals behind their rivals for the title. It really is all to play for today, in a game which will have a big impact on the turnout for the season for both sides.

The Crows come into the game having picked up 3 wins, 1 defeat and 1 draw in their last five matches, with wins against Lordswood and Erith & Belvedere helping Fisher out at the bottom, but slipping to a 3-1 defeat away at Ashford saw the title race tip towards the victors. When the two sides met earlier in the season at the Community Stadium it was a day to forget for the travelling Fisher players and fans. Having seen Trey Williams score within 5 minutes, the Fish were pegged back to 1-1 at the break, before collapsing in the second period to lose 6-1.

Top scorer Zac Atwood scored twice for Sean Muggeridge’s side that day, which contributed towards the 32 goals he has converted in all competitions this season. Fellow forwards Sam Carrington and Ross Trevealan both have 14 for the campaign, whilst new on loan Farnborough FC man Eddie Smith will also be a big threat – having scored for fun wherever he has called home.

So, with everything to play for everyone at Fisher needs to pull together this afternoon to give the team the support they deserve to try and take another positive step towards The Great Escape. There was fantastic vocal support for Dean and the boys in our last home game against Canterbury City, as well as the wonderful travelling fans on Saturday, and it is that kind of backing that can help the players rise to these big occasions as we enter the last three games of the season. We need your support more than ever; we saw what a difference it made in our last Bank Holiday game when we packed St Paul’s for the win against Beckenham Town – so get down to the ground and Be The 12th Man for the Fish.

Turnstiles will be open from around 1.45pm as usual for a 3pm kick off. As previously announced, the Club are delighted to confirm the extension of our ‘Fish for a Fiver’ offer for Premier League and Football League season ticket holders until the end of the 2016/17 campaign, so it is only £5 on the turnstile on production of a season ticket. The Clubhouse will be open for hot drinks, soup, noodles, soft drinks and snacks. Beers will come from local brewery Fourpure Brewing Co. as ever, alongside a few guest beers for the day.

The Fisher Super Draw will be back with the chance to win £25, and our ever popular Matchday Programme will be available for £1.50. The Fisher Club Shop will be open in the Clubhouse as ever.