Three months after being wound up in the high court, Fisher Athletic returned to competitive action in the guise of the reformed supporter owned Fisher FC. The new club’s first fixture of the Kent League season saw them fall to a narrow 2-1 defeat to Beckenham Town with Elstrom Die claiming the first league goal for the club.
Fisher central defender Lloyd Boateng should have made history for himself when he should have given the home side the lead early on. Midfielder Louis Sprosen floated in a free-kick from just outside the penalty area, which was met at the far post by striker Duke Binite, whose header bounced off goalkeeper Nick Blue and looped up for Boateng to nod over from just two-yards out.
Beckenham were guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance themselves when tiny Colombian striker Juan Ramirez broke down the left and whipped in a low centre for Jamal York to sky over when it seemed easier to score.However, Fisher were guilty of another miss after 21 minutes. Good link up play in the corner from Sprosen and Binite played Steve O’Donnell in around the corner and the striker wasted the good opportunity by drilling his shot into the side netting. And right-sided midfielder Joe Goodwin was to rue an excellent chance nine minutes later when he was picked out by a long diagonal ball out of defence, only to guide a right-footed chip into Blue’s grateful arms.
Fisher goalkeeper Danny Baldwinson made the first of three good saves in the 55th minute. Beckenham were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous central position, some ten-yards outside of the box and George Balchamber’s right-footed free-kick was superbly turned around the post by the diving goalkeeper.But the former Orpington stopper was picking the ball out of the back off his net as Beckenham took a 56th minute lead.
Fisher’s defence failed to pick up Bleach at the far post following Ramirez’s right-flank corner, and the midfielder powered his header into the roof of the net. Despite their first ever set-back, Fisher responded and went close when O’Donnell released Die down the left and his cross was met at the far post by substitute Ryan Palmer, whose header cleared the bar. But Die grabbed the headlines when he found the back of the net with 65 minutes on the clock.He broke clear of Beckenham’s three-man defence and with goalkeeper Blue advancing, he delicately lifted the ball over the goalkeeper and a roar went up as the ball dropped in just underneath the crossbar.
Giant defender Holder twice went close for Beckenham following Belchamber’s set-pieces and the Fisher goalkeeper made a smart save to deny Belchamber scoring with a left-footed drive from 25-yards. But the Fisher goalkeeper made another fine save when he tipped Danny Gorman’s powerful header over the bar as the visitors’ looked dangerous from Ramirez’s corner-kicks.
Fisher almost grabbed the win with six minutes left when Binitie got in behind two defenders and stabbed the ball towards goal, only for the ball to drop agonisingly past the far post. But they were made to pay, as any hopes of a point were dashed as Holder opened his goalscoring account for the season with time ticking out. Slack marking following a cleared set-piece allowed Holder time and space inside the Fisher penalty area to guide a left-footed volley past the rooted goalkeeper to find the far corner.
Fisher failed to take an injury time lifeline when Sprosen’s right-footed low curling free-kick brought a low save out of Blue.
Report from Kentish Football
