Jamie Humphris smashed a dramatic late equaliser, as Fisher got the point that was the very least their performance deserved against Erith Town.
This match was a tremendous advert for football at this level – two attack-minded teams looking to play football in a full-blooded encounter that was nonetheless clean enough to ensure the referee did not need to get his cards out. Steve Firkins shook up his team as Joe Hagan joined in the week to take the place of the injured Billy Hensman in goal. Billy Walton returned at centre-half, with Richie Monan starting at right-back and Ken Jarrett-Elliott moving to left-back in place of the suspended Danny Tipple.
But the Fish got off to the worst possible start. Erith Town scored from their first attack, a speculative shot from Adam Williams looked to be heading for Hagan’s gloves, only to take a deflection off Monan’s head and sail into the top corner. Fisher responded well to the setback though, Jamie Humphris looking lively on the right as he made his full debut. Peter Afolayan sent a left foot shot over the bar as Fisher continued to push forward.
With Monan and Humphris linking up well on the right, and Jarrett-Elliott and Chris Hubbard causing problems on the left, Fisher were giving the Dockers’ defence plenty to think about. Monan and Hubbard both shot from distance as they were allowed space in front of the box. Erith were looking dangerous at the other end though, and Williams should have put the Dockers two goals up as he sent a good chance wide when left unmarked in the box.
Hubbard and Afolayan combined well to create another chance but Afolayan saw his shot well saved by Dockers keeper Kevin Fewell. The half-time whistle sounded with Fisher having had plenty of the play and a number of chances from distance with Erith continued to look dangerous going forward. Hagan looked confident and composed in goal and he came out to claim or punch clear a number of crosses during the game.
The second half started with Erith very much on top as they forced a succession of corners. Fisher’s defence demonstrated an improving resilience, though Richie Monan had to clear a shot of the line to preserve the one goal deficit. Gradually though, the Fish began to turn the tide. On the break, Hubbard raced forward but his shot was easily saved by Fewell. Jamie Turner then drove at the heart of the Erith defence, and his fierce shot was well saved at the post by Fewell who was beginning to look unbeatable.
Fewell was beaten shortly afterwards, as Afolayan pressed and hustled Town left-back Lee Craig in the corner, winning the ball and crossing for Ellis Wilson-Joseph – but with Fewell stranded Wilson-Jospeh sent the ball agonisingly wide. Fish fans began to feel that it wasn’t to be their day, but with half an hour left to play there was still plenty of time left.
Still Fisher pressed forward. Humphris, having a fantastic game, saw Fewell deny him twice in quick succession. The game was exciting and open with Erith looking dangerous on the break and Fisher desperately looking for the goal their play deserved. Hubbard, who tormented the defence all game, thought he had found the breakthrough but Fewell pulled off an outstanding save to deny him – his defence then clearing the rebound off the line.
Time was ticking away, but with the clock showing 89 minutes Humphris embarked on one final drive forward. This time, his dipping 20 yard shot bounced just in front of Fewell who couldn’t keep the one out and the Fish were finally level. Humphris embarked on a wild run of celebration, chased by his ecstatic team mates, and the Fish had secured the point they deserved.
Fisher: Hagan, Monan, Jarrett-Elliott, Taylor (Bell 68), Helps (Quan 83), Walton, Humphris, Turner, Afolayan (Sisson 83), Wilson-Joseph, Hubbard. Unused Subs: Murphy, Demetrius
Attendance: 75
