A brace from Peter Afolyan alongside goals scored by Danny Tipple, Danny Hunt and substitute Nathaniel Bell handed the Fish a comprehensive victory over a respectable Tonbridge Angels side.
The result was true testament to the fine squad that is being put together by Steve Firkins and the Fisher management as despite plying their trade three divisions higher than the Fish, the Angels were unable to cope with Fisher’s fine passing, movement and organisation. Indeed, Angels reserve team manager Colin Blewden praised the Bermondsey outfit after the game, commenting “Some of the lads’ will have learnt a lot from them tonight, learnt what’s needed to play at a decent level of non-league football”.
Team-wise, Steve Firkins elected for only three changes from the side that started the friendly against Barkingside on Saturday. Danny Tipple started at left back in place of Murphy, Kobi DeGraft-Johnson was handed a starting place instead of Chris Hubbard and Peter Afolyan partnered Danny Hunt up front replacing Steve O’Donnell.
Tonbridge Angels fielded a largely fringe and reserve side with Alwayne Jones the only first team player to make the starting eleven.
Angels were further weakened when their goalkeeper got caught up in a traffic incident in Peckham meaning he could no longer make the match. Fisher Under 18s goalkeeper Billy Hensman was due to have a first experience of warming the Fisher bench but was asked if he would help keeper-less Angels out and play in goal for them. Hensman bravely stepped up to the plate and played the full ninety minutes for Angels in what should prove invaluable experience for a seventeen year old.
As on Saturday, it was the Fish who started the stronger, taking just 42 seconds to open the scoring through a neat finish from Peter Afolayan. Michael Jones breezed past two defenders and reaching the byline cut the ball back to Afolayan to roll the ball into the right hand corner from eight yards.
Things got worse for the visitors minutes later as Afolayan struck again. This time the lightning quick Danny Tipple put a great ball through to Afolayan and after weaving his way in between three desperate challenges he fired low into the bottom left corner leaving the keeper with no chance.
Fisher’s third goal wouldn’t have been out of place on MOTD’s Goal of the Month. Micheal Jones flew down the left wing before beating two defenders with a combinition of pace and trickery, he then cut the ball back for left back Danny Tipple who stroked a beautifully placed shot past the stranded keeper and into the far corner.
Tonbridge Angels pulled a goal back three minutes before the end of the first half when Alwayne Jones rose unchallenged from a free-kick to glance a header past Danny Firkins and into the corner.
The teams went in with the score at 3-1 at the half-time break with Steve Firkins making five changes for the second half.
Tonbridge Angels looked the brighter after the interval and Alwayne Jones pulled Angels back into the match with a right-footed drive from 25 yards on 68 minutes.
Angels’ chance of a thrilling come back were very short lived however as straight from the restart substitute Nathaniel Bell restored Fisher’s two goal lead with a hooked finish after good work from Danny Hunt on the left side.
On 75 minutes Fisher made it five when a Danny Tipple through ball set Danny Hunt through to score. With lots of work still to do he outpaced and outmuscled the last defender before opening up his body and curling a right footed finish past the keeper and into the far corner.
An extremely impressive performance from the Fish, building on Saturday’s good work against Barkingside where, there were already numerous encouraging signs. In fact, it’s hard to find fault with any of the seventeen players utilised by Steve Firkins against the Angels, no doubt leaving him with more than a few selection headaches. Still to be fitted into the side is Mark Lewis, who on this evidence may find it hard to break into the first team, while under 18s keeper Billy Hensman (who played in goal for Tonbridge tonight) may feature again in pre-season.
Fisher: Danny Firkins, Micah Banton (Kenny Jarrett-Elliott 67), Danny Tipple, Frankie Warren, George Kendall (Adam Wadmore 46), Kobi DeGraft-Johnson, Richie Monan (Chris Hubbard 46), Jamie Turner (Jamie Taylor 46), Peter Afolayan (Michael Sisson 46), Danny Hunt (Raphael Akala 75), Michael Jones (Nathaniel Bell 46).
