Fisher bowed out of the Kent Senior Trophy despite a spirited performance against the league leaders.
The result was overshadowed by the news that manager Steve Firkins was to step down for family reasons after the game. Before that however, the Fish had once again proved that they could worry the league’s top sides but did not have quite enough to take the game into extra time. Fisher gave full debuts to academy youngsters Jake Palladino and Benga Ogunseye, on the left and right of midfield respectively. Alex Hyde, signed from Erith Town on Friday, debuted in goal.
Palladino made an early impact, a shot from the edge of the box testing Deres keeper Jack Bradshaw. At the other end Alex Waugh saw a shot deflected wide in what was otherwise a cagey opening ten minutes. But shortly afterwards the visitors took the lead from a corner. Hyde came out to punch clear but his intervention saw the ball land at the feet of Jamie Wood with space on the edge of the box. Wood returned the ball with interest towards the goal, his fierce shot perfectly placed into the top corner.
The game settled back in to the scrappy pattern that had categorised the early stages, though after Ogunseye was fouled Erith & Belvedere had to scramble to clear a free-kick. Badar Mohamed then really should have brought Fisher level – put through by Marvin Alebiosu, the striker saw his low shot saved and the rebound hit him and went wide of the post.
The match livened up towards the end of the half, as another long range shot for the Deres crashed against the post. Mohamed was then put through on goal again, but again Bradshaw was equal to his shot. Alebiosu saw a shot cleared off the line, and on 42 minutes Ogunseye had a great chance to equalise but somehow saw his shot deflected wide.
There was still time for Andy Constable to hit the bar for the Deres, again a shot from outside the box, before the referee blew for half time. After the break Fisher pushed forward looking for an equaliser and Firkins introduced Carl Gibbs to boost the team’s attacking options.
Chances were hard to come by however, though Palladino and Mohamed combined well on the left before Mohamed’s cross evaded everyone. Ogunseye shot wide with twenty minutes to go, but the Deres were fairly comfortable in defence. They managed to hit the woodwork yet again, goalscorer Wood looking to repeat his spectacular opener but this time he was just out of luck.
As the game entered its closing stages, Fisher pushed forward in search of the equaliser that would ensure extra time. It never really looked like materialising, and the visitors scored a second on the break through lively substitute Richmond Kissi.
The defeat leaves the Fish concentrating on moving out of last place in the league, and with exactly half the league season left to play. The mood after the game was understandably subdued as players and fans took in the news that Firkins was stepping aside, but the team will need to pick themselves up in time for Saturday’s derby match at Beckenham.
Team: Hyde, Olugbemi, Lewis, Taylor, Clark, Frempah, Ogunseye, Budak (Gibbs 53), Mohamed, Alebiosu, Palladino. Unused Subs: Salem, Brown, Jackson, Hensman
Attendance: 78
