Fisher 1-2 Beckenham Town - We have a player to Die for - insists Powell

Monday 10th August 2009

FISHER 1-2 BECKENHAM TOWN
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Monday 10 August 2009
Stephen McCartney reports from Champion Hill Stadium

FRENCH winger Elstrom Die went down in history tonight as he scored Fisher Football Club’s first goal - although near neighbours Beckenham Town spoilt the party by claiming all three points at Champion Hill.

Fisher, the phoenix that has risen from the ashes of troubled Fisher Athletic (who were wound up at the High Court during the summer due to a reported unpaid tax bill of £230,000), put on a spirited display against their near neighbours, who clinched victory courtesy of Danny Bleach’s headed opener and an 89th minute finish from James Holder.

Despite making history with a 65th minute equaliser, Die, the impressive nippy 25-year-old winger, played down his achievement, telling www.kentishfootball.co.uk that he was disappointed that he ended the match on the losing side.

“It was ok, but the team lost today,” he said. “You’ve got to work hard, today wasn’t good enough so you’ve got to do it next week again.

“Obviously I’m disappointed because we played good (football) and today we lost. It’s football, so next week we’ll be good again.

“With the quality players we’ve got it will be nice to win week in week out. We’ll be ok. Everybody likes each other and that’s a good thing.”

A Google search on Die suggests that his former clubs include French outfit Le Harve, Crawley Town, Oldham Town, Thornby and Curzon Ashton.
For Beckenham Town boss Jason Huntley, he was pleased that his side bounced back from their opening day defeat.

Much-fancied side Faversham Town took advantage of a sloppy Beckenham first half by scoring the only goal of the game through Dane Luchford’s seventh minute strike at Eden Park Avenue last Saturday.

“We were very disappointed in our first half on Saturday. We let ourselves down,” Huntley told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after tonight’s victory.

“Second half performance we were a lot better. I thought we deserved to get something out of Saturday’s game.”

And speaking about tonight’s game, he added, “I think the result was a correct one overall, because their keeper made three very good saves.

“I think we could’ve put the game to bed if we got a second goal (a lot earlier, then) it would’ve been all over.

“But fair play to them, for a team that’s just been put together, they’re a very good young side. They all worked hard for each other and I was impressed with them.”

And he warned, “They’re not going to be the whipping boys in this league. They’re a good side, they’ve got strength, so for their first game, I was very, very impressed.”

Huntley was forced into switching from his trusted 4-4-2 formation to a 3-5-2, playing Danny Lawson, Holder and Danny Gorman at the back.

He was without his only recognised left-back, Michael Ebanks, who was ruled out through a foot injury - and Durrant Jemmott missed the derby with swine flu.

The official attendance was given out as 222 - although it appeared that around 300 fans flocked through the turnstiles to watch a lively Kent League game.

“I’m a Fisher person myself, played there for ten years and I know the people who are running it again and they’re going to put them in the right direction again,” added Huntley.

Fisher central defender Lloyd Boateng should have made history for himself when he should have given the home side the lead early on.

Midfielder Louis Sprosen floated in a free-kick from just outside the penalty area, which was met at the far post by striker Duke Binite, whose header bounced off goalkeeper Nick Blue and looped up for Boateng to nod over from just two-yards out.

Beckenham were guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance themselves when tiny Colombian striker Juan Ramirez broke down the left and whipped in a low centre for Jamal York to sky over when it seemed easier to score.

However, Fisher were guilty of another miss after 21 minutes.

Good link up play in the corner from Sprosen and Binite played Steve O’Donnell in around the corner and the striker wasted the good opportunity by drilling his shot into the side netting.

And right-sided midfielder Joe Goodwin was to rue an excellent chance nine minutes later when he was picked out by a long diagonal ball out of defence, only to guide a right-footed chip into Blue’s grateful arms.

Fisher goalkeeper Danny Baldwinson made the first of three good saves in the 55th minute.

Beckenham were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous central position, some ten-yards outside of the box and George Balchamber’s right-footed free-kick was superbly turned around the post by the diving goalkeeper.

But the former Orpington stopper was picking the ball out of the back off his net as Beckenham took a 56th minute lead.

Fisher’s defence failed to pick up Bleach at the far post following Ramirez’s right-flank corner, and the midfielder powered his header into the roof of the net.

Despite their first ever set-back, Fisher responded and went close when O’Donnell released Die down the left and his cross was met at the far post by substitute Ryan Palmer, whose header cleared the bar.

But Die grabbed the headlines when he found the back of the net with 65 minutes on the clock.

He broke clear of Beckenham’s three-man defence and with goalkeeper Blue advancing, he delicately lifted the ball over the goalkeeper and a roar went up as the ball dropped in just underneath the crossbar.

Giant defender Holder twice went close for Beckenham following Belchamber’s set-pieces and the Fisher goalkeeper made a smart save to deny Belchamber scoring with a left-footed drive from 25-yards.

But the Fisher goalkeeper made another fine save when he tipped Danny Gorman’s powerful header over the bar as the visitors’ looked dangerous from Ramirez’s corner-kicks.

Fisher almost grabbed the win with six minutes left when Binitie got in behind two defenders and stabbed the ball towards goal, only for the ball to drop agonisingly past the far post.

But they were made to pay, as any hopes of a point were dashed as Holder opened his goalscoring account for the season with time ticking out.

Slack marking following a cleared set-piece allowed Holder time and space inside the Fisher penalty area to guide a left-footed volley past the rooted goalkeeper to find the far corner.

Fisher failed to take an injury time lifeline when Sprosen’s right-footed low curling free-kick brought a low save out of Blue - but coach Donna Powell was proud of the team.

Powell, who created nationwide media attention when she managed the Fisher Athletic team for their 2-1 home defeat to Eastleigh in a Blue Square South fixture last February, having raised £500 in sponsorship money, remained upbeat.

“What can I say, I don’t know what to say really apart from I thought the boys played excellent,” she told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards - no Sky or Setanta television cameras were here tonight!

“Minor set-backs but for our first game I think they did pretty well.

“There’s a few players we’ve got to step up their game but it’s a shame to lose on the last, 89th minute to be quite honest with you.

“But it’s a team that we’ve just put together, to show they’re doing brilliantly I think.”

Pleased with the turnout on a mild Monday night, Powell wants to see the same fans return for Saturday’s home derby against Greenwich Borough.

And the brunette would like to get three points against Steve Firkins’ men.

“Hopefully we’ll get a crowd like that more often!” she said. “I spoke to a few of the supporters who seemed really happy so hopefully we can bring it on some more.

“Obviously they (Beckenham) lost their first game as well didn’t they so I think it was a bit of a must-win for them as it was a must win for us, but bring on Greenwich Borough and we’ll go on from there.

“It’s our first game so hopefully this will be the last time we lose. Hopefully we can pick up for the next game.”

Powell was full of praise for history maker Die, adding, “He’s scored quite a few in our pre-season games as well and he’s a player to look out for - he’s very fast.”

She added that the management team will work on “sloppy mistakes” that were made tonight, during Thursday night’s training session.

Fisher: Danny Baldwinson, Kris Hollidge, Luis Rosen, Trevor Elliot, Lloyd Boateng, George Kendall (Alex Bacon 68), Elstrom Die (Francis Tshikaya 76), Louis Sprosen, Duke Binitie, Steve O’Donnell, Joe Goodwin (Ryan Palmer 62).
Subs: Adam Griffin, Mark Lewis.

Goal: Elstrom Die 65

Beckenham Town: Nick Blue, Danny Gorman, Danny Lawson, James Holder, Danny Bleach (Danny Harris 89), Nick Curran, George Belchamber, Juan Ramirez, Steffan Forbes (Darren Wise 76), Gary Gorman (Ibrahim Fusini 51).
Sub: Charlie McCarthy.

Goals: Danny Bleach 56, James Holder 89

Booked: Juan Ramirez 83, Darren Wise 90

Attendance: 222
Referee: Mr Andy Francis (Rochester)
Assistants: Mr Adam Peters (Kidbrooke, London SE3) & Mr Killian Troy (Lee, London SE12)