After falling to a 3-0 defeat against Tunbridge Wells on the opening day of the season, Fisher were hoping to bounce back when they took on Holmesdale just two days later.
The game started quite brightly with both sides passing the ball around well. Fisher won an early free kick but were unable to create anything from what looked like a good opportunity. Over the next five to ten minutes, Fisher got the ball down, passing along the ground and looking for an opener but Holmesdale, who looked much improved on last seasons, defending well to keep the Fish out.
Holmesdale then took a fourteenth minute lead when they created a chance from nothing, taking full advantage of some scruffy defending. Raul Minondo scored his (and Holmesdale’s) first of the night, and season, from close range.
Fisher seemed to settle down after going behind although they couldn’t create any clear cut chances from they’re possession. The only thing from Fisher that resembled a shot was a long range effort from Chris Hubbard which went well wide of the target. Fisher then won a free-kick, which could of, and would of, created a chance had any Fisher players been able to time their jump to make contact with the ball. Unfortunately neither of the strikers in the box could and the score remained at 1-0.
Then it was Holmesdale’s turn to have some time on the ball, although like Fisher, they didn’t really seem comfortable on the ball.
With 38 minutes gone, Holmesdale got the ball forward again, this time Francis Babolola found the net to double the visitors lead.
Fisher then created a chance but it sailed high and wide of the target. Just moments later, Holmesdale hit their third which ultimately sealed the win before half time. Raul Minondo found the net for the second time just four minutes before the break.
At the break, Fisher manager Billy Walton decided to make all three of his available substitutions, with Duke Binitie, Piers Hanifan and James Hawkins replacing David Milton, Tom Carr and Harvey Hanifan.
The substitutions made an instant impact on the game when Binitie found himself forward within minutes of the restart, with an early shot to which, although it didn’t produce a goal, livened the crowd up and showed signs of better things to come from Fisher.
Following that the game started to become very broken down, with both sides conceding numerous free kicks and a couple of players being spoken to by the referee.
Holmesdale then broke forward, and came close with a shot which hit the bar. Just moments later Holmesdale introduced Emmanuel Florian who added another dimension to their attack and gave them a boost going forward. Florian was on the end of several long balls through the second period and Holmesdale were able to create a few chances, but nothing that really worried the Fisher defence.
In the 68th minute, Fisher passing game finally produced a reward, with a good passing move getting the ball forward well and creating a chance which Duke Binitie converted to get Fisher onto the score sheet.
Fisher seemed more confident following the goal, and started to create a few more chances. Hubbard put in a few crosses but was unable to find any of his team-mates. Danny Tipple then broke forward and won a corner, which Holmesdale were able to deal with. The visitors then broke forward again, and Fisher keeper Hensman pulled off a fine save, only to realise the assistant referee’s flag was raised for offside.
Minutes later Fisher won a corner, which created a headed effort which appeared to be going in. The effort eventually went over and the referee awarded Holmesdale a goal kick, much to the amazement of a few spectators who were expecting another Fisher corner.
In the closing stages, Florian created a few more chances for Holmesdale (as did a few of his team-mates) before Holmesdale were awarded a penalty in the last minute of normal time. Kristian Campbell stepped up and slotted the ball past Hensman with ease.
With the score now at 4-1, Holmesdale made one final break, and it could be said the Hensman was a little lucky to stay on the field. The defence failed to deal with the ball and Hensman came off his line to deal with the situation and took down the attacker in the process. Holmesdale were far from impressed when the referee took no action, although it had no effect on the result.
Fisher will be hoping to bounce back when they welcome Deal Town top Champion Hill in the FA Cup this Saturday (August 17th, 3pm kick off).
Fisher: Hensman, Akers, Tipple, Taylor, Hopkins, Walton, H Hanifan (Hawkins 45), Carr (P Hanifan 45), Maguire, Milton (Binitie 45), Hubbard. Unused Subs: Campbell, Damarola
Attendance: 117
