A goal in each half saw Fisher overcome 10-man Cray Valley to claim their first win of the season in front of a vociferous home crowd at Champion Hill.
There were several new names in Dean Harrison’s line-up but it was two familiar faces who provided the platform for the Fish’s victory; Luke Haidarovic’s 18th-minute penalty gave them something to hold on to while Denzel Kobia held on to everything that was thrown his way to prevent the lacklustre visitors from getting on the scoresheet.
Cray’s Adam Marsh was sent off fifteen minutes into the second half before Fisher substitute Will Agbo sealed a deserved triumph with a last-gasp strike.
The match had started so quietly. Cray Valley, fresh from their opening day thumping of Lordswood, looked laboured in possession and devoid of ideas. Paul Gross’ men conceded the first corner of the evening, from which Haidarovic fired a close-range shot against an opposing defender and then skewed another chance wide when the second set-piece fell to him in the penalty area.
The Millers were forced into making their first substitution of the evening with just 16 minutes gone, as Jim Doherty came on to replace Luke Harvey – the latter having fallen awkwardly after contesting an aerial duel with Veejay Miller. The Fish were given an opportunity to seize the initiative when Aiden Sherlock lost possession to Shelton Gooden in the Cray box before felling the attacker. Up stepped Haidarovic to calmly despatch the spot-kick down the middle and put Fisher into the lead.
The visitors responded by mustering their first spell of pressure. Kobia reacted well to collect a fizzing cross under pressure from Marsh and then showed superb reflexes to claw away Adam Gross’ goal-bound free kick.
At the other end, Haidarovic tried to double his tally with a cheeky free kick which he sent under the wall, but Cray goalkeeper Luke Colquhoun read it all the way.
The remainder of the half saw Kobia demonstrate his commanding presence once more, thwarting several teasing crosses from Ben Healy and Tommy Osborne.
The second half almost didn’t take place due to a faulty floodlight but when the action eventually restarted after a delay, the spectators got their money’s worth as a frenetic period ensued.
A superb team move almost ended with a second Fisher goal when Tyrell Mcleod-Bentley released Haidarovic whose pinpoint cross was headed narrowly over the crossbar by Gooden.
Adam Marsh’s red card on the hour mark made then for a breathless final thirty minutes.
The Millers striker was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident with Haidarovic in the Fish penalty area. Haidarovic was booked for his part in proceedings as tempers started t flare.
The lively Tyrell Mcleod-Bentley then came close to giving the home side some breathing space, smashing a shot into the side netting following some fancy footwork in the box.
Cray manager Gross entered the fray for Frankie Warren, but the away side’s boss swapping the touchline for the pitch made little difference as Fisher’s defence remained resolute.
Kobia did well to claim a Cray corner that could’ve gone anywhere, and the impressive Gassimu Jalloh charged down Rory Hill’s drive after the midfielder had embarked on a mazy run.
As the clock ran down, substitute Quintin Conteh was twice denied by the linesman’s flag when closing in on goal– much to the frustration of the Fisher fans.
But the home supporters got to see a second goal at the death. Haidarovic was again at the heart of things, showing strength to win a header and send Ben Mitchell scampering away down the right-hand side.
Fisher outnumbered Cray by three to one on the break, allowing Mitchell time and space to square the ball to fellow substitute Will Agbo, who placed the ball past the onrushing Colqhoun from ten yards out.
The visitors were outfought and outthought by their opponents on the night. This spirited performance bodes well for the rest of the season. Cray could have no complaints. Fisher simply showed more fight.
Man of the match: Ricky Hepburn
Line up: 1 Denzil Kobia; 2 Ricky Hepburn; 3 Veejay Miller; 4 Daniel Lawson; 5 Gassimu Jalloh; 6 Rob Curtis (captain); 7 Alfie Roche; 8 Max Rothwell; 9 Luke Haidarovic; 10 Shelton Gooden; 11 Tyrell McLeod- Bentley. Subs: 12 Will Agbo; 14 Alex James; 15 Quintin Conteh; 16 Reion McFarlane; 17 Ben Mitchell.
