It was another agonising defeat to a late goal for the Fish, who had battled back from 2-0 down but came away from Park View Road empty handed.
The Fish, who saw Richie Monan return to the starting line-up and Damien Ramsamy preferred up-front to Steve O’Donnell, got off to a horror start as they conceded two goals in the opening ten minutes. Lewis Wood notched twice for the Deres, the first as he finished off an excellent move and the second an acrobatic bicycle kick as he took advantage of hesitation and miscues at the back.
Fish fans were fearing a hiding at this stage against much-fancied Erith & Belvedere, but the team rallied and came into the game as the half went on. Stefan Dixon shot wide on 25 minutes after a good move on the right, while Frankie Warren put a shot wide a minute later. Warren, who appeared to be clearly caught by a defender after he got his shot away, appealed for a penalty but was turned down by the referee.
Later in the half Ramsamy’s jinking run earned a free-kick, which Ken Jarrett-Elliott put over the bar. Ramsamy then went on another run but shot wide, while Warren also missed the target after a great ball from Monan. The Fish survived a penalty shout at the other end, following a challenge that looked a clear foul, as the refereeing errors were evened up.
Just on half-time Ramsamy – who impressed throughout the game – went on a another run which led to a Fisher free-kick, but no-one was able to latch onto a great ball into the box.
The Deres put the pressure on at the start of the second half, and it took a great fingertip save from Danny Firkins to stop the Fish from falling further behind. But again the Fish looked stronger as the half wore on, and Warren had two further chances to score as he put in a lung-busting performance in midfield, but he was unable to convert.
On the hour mark, Steve Firkins introduced 17 year old academy apprentice Jordan Green for his senior debut. Green, who cuts a slight figure, caused havoc on the right with his jinking runs. It was his cross that found an unmarked Warren who slotted home Fisher’s first goal, and just a minute later Green broke free of the defenders again and put in another excellent cross. This time the ball fell to Ramsamy who levelled the scores from six yards out.
The Fish looked the more likely winners at this stage and substitute O’Donnell nearly managed to grab a goal, his shot blocked after more good work from Green had put him through. But there was heartbreak again as Deres sub Adam Burchill latched on to the ball in a goalmouth scramble and finished past Firkins with just two minutes left to play.
A desperately unfortunate loss for Fisher, who once again looked good value for at least a point against one of the division’s fancied teams. But the consistent team performances suggest that an upturn in fortunes must come soon.
Fisher: Firkins, Dixon, Olugbemi, Warren (Depeazer 80), Frempah, Wadmore, Henry, Brown, Ramsamy, Jarrett-Elliott (O’Donnell 67), Monan (Green 60). Unused Subs: Aromona, Taylor
Attendance: 85
