Fisher slipped to defeat in a scrappy game on Tuesday night, falling to two penalties in two minutes in the second half.
With top scorer Steve O’Donnell forced to leave the field with what was later confirmed as a broken leg, it was a miserable trip to Park View Road for the Fish.
The game had started brightly for Fisher, who dominated possession and put together some neat attacking moves although were unable to create any clear chances. But it was Erith & Belvedere who opened the scoring on 15 minutes. The Deres, who looked to get the ball forward early throughout the game, profited from hesitant Fisher defending as a Richard Stroud goal kick was allowed to bounce over the last line of defence, leaving Andy Constable with the simple task of slotting home.
Fisher’s best chance of the half fell to Jamie Turner, after outstanding work on the left from Danny Tipple, but Turner didn’t have enough room to get power behind the shot and Stroud was able to gather the ball. Danny Firkins was then forced into an outstanding save at the feet of Marcus Cassius as he raced clear of the defence.
The Fish went into half-time 1-0 down, but drew level ten minutes into the second period. As Turner lined up a free-kick from the far left-hand edge of the box, he only had one thing on his mind – a shot, despite the seemingly impossible angle. Turner’s strike whipped past the standed Stroud to nestle in the top corner of the net just inside the far post, another fantastic strike for the skipper who has been in fine goalscoring form lately.
Unfortunately the Fish were unable to build on the equaliser, and instead the Deres were awarded a controversial penalty. As Cassius went to ground on the edge of the box under the challenge of Tipple, the linesman flagged for a penalty. Referee Mr Burman consulted his assistant and upheld the decision, which was met with some surprise on the home side’s bench and disappointment amongst the Fisher contingent. Adam Gross fired an excellent spot kick past Firkins to put the Deres back in the lead.
E&B added to that lead just a minute later, as they were awarded a second – and less contentious – penalty that was also confidently despatched by Gross.
Matters got considerably worse for the Fish as Steve O’Donnell, on as a substitute, was caught by a late (though not malicious) challenge after firing a shot at goal. O’Donnell went down in agony, although the referee waved play on having deemed that the shot on goal constituted an advantage. When play was stopped, O’Donnell was helped from the field and later had a diagnosis of a broken tibula confirmed in hospital.
An unfortunate night for the Fish, and a disappointing way to lose although the Deres did enjoy the better chances overall on the night. Steve Firkins will be looking to lift the squad at training prior to our trip to Lordswood on Saturday.
Fisher: Firkins, DeGraft-Johnson, Tipple, Wilson-Joseph (Taylor 70), Kendall, Wadore, Monan (Bell 58), Turner, Sisson, Hunt (O’Donnell 63), Jarrett-Elliott. Unused Subs: Hubbard, Walton
Attendance: 63
