Fisher people past and present gathered on Saturday at Champion Hill, and on Monday at the Holy Trinity Church, to pay their respects to the late Charlie Bennett, our tireless supporter, fundraiser and friend.
Paying tribute at Charlie’s funeral, Fisher’s all-time appearance leader Dennis Sharp spoke of his affection for and memories of a great man. Dennis told of the time when Charlie wrote the Fisher match reports for the local press. If we won, said Dennis, Charlie’s reports stated “Fisher were brilliant”. If we lost, Charlie wrote that “Fisher were brilliant, but unlucky.”
On Saturday against Deal Town, Fisher were brilliant – but unlucky.
Fisher controlled much of the game, particularly in the second half, but were undone by wayward finishing and two well taken goals on the break scored by the visitors.
Fisher started the game well, and had the first chance as Mike Damarola shot just wide. That was followed by an opportunity for Troy Abbey but he too missed the target. At the other end, Deal’s long throws were dealt with by the Fisher defence, goalkeeper Billy Hensman punching well clear on one occasion.
Fisher’s best chance was created by Danny Maguire. Picking the ball up on the right-hand side, about 40 yards from goal, he curled an inch-perfect ball towards the head of the unmarked Junior James. James, from just to the left of the penalty spot, connected with a header but could not keep the ball down and it sailed over the bar.
Shortly afterwards Billy Walton played in James following a neat one-two, but Deal keeper Josh Mattless was out quickly to block the ball at the striker’s feet. Fisher then had a stroke of luck as Piers Hanifan sliced a clearance against his own post, but the Fish were able to clear the danger.
Deal enjoyed their best spell just before half-time, Hensman saving well to prevent the visitors from scoring on the break, and then Liam Quinn fired just wide. But the game was goalless at the break.
After half time, Deal continued to hold the upper hand. Charlie Walsh fired wide with a half-volley on 55 minutes, but he made no mistake three minutes later when he was left unmarked in the box and powered a free header beyond Hensman.
Fisher responded well, and James had a superb opportunity to equalise just minutes later when he had just the keeper to beat from 6 yards out but his shot hit a boot thrown in the way of the shot by last ditch challenge from a defender, and went wide.
Fisher dominated possession and territory for the rest of the game, Harry Draper and Maguire working hard in the midfield, but found clear chances hard to come by. Boss Billy Walton had introduced Steven Ita for his Fisher debut, and the tricky forward immediately made an impression on the left of a front three. Ita created another chance for James but the striker shot wide.
Deal struck a hammer blow on the break with just seven minutes to play. With Fisher pushing forward, they were exposed to a quick counter down the right with Hensman caught between coming out and staying in his goal, Dan Miller received a pass and was given the simple task of putting the ball into the empty net.
Two goals down, Fisher still looked to get back in the game and piled on the pressure. Their reward came in the final minutes of normal time as James latched onto a through-ball and this time made no mistake, beating Mattless with a low strike.
Fisher threw everything at Deal in injury time, but the visitors’ defence held firm and they were able to hold on for the win.
With lots about the Fisher performance to like and enjoy, including some moments of brilliance, the mood after the game was not too downbeat. The Fish were, well, just a little unlucky.
Fisher: Hensman, Seales, P Hanifan (Fatai 72), H Hanifan, Carr, Walton, Damarola (Ita 53), Draper, James, Maguire, Abbey (Campbell 82). Unused Sub: Richards
Attendance: 76
