If someone told me before this season started that we will play eight games in The FA Cup, I wouldn’t have believed it, says proud Fisher boss Ajay Ashanike

FISHER manager Ajay Ashanike says he wants his side to go out and enjoy their eighth FA Cup outing of the season on Tuesday night.

The Fish welcome Vanarama National League South side Welling United to St Paul’s Stadium after coming away from Park View Road with a goal-less draw at the weekend.

Fisher are sitting at the foot of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table with two draws from their first five league outings but it’s The FA Cup where Ashanike’s unpaid side have flourished.

Premier League runners-up Liverpool had to win six games to win The FA Cup for the eighth time.

Jurgen Klopp's side beat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties after a goal-less Final at Wembley Stadium on 14 May.

The Fish have needed replays to beat Sutton Common Rovers, Sittingbourne and Spelthorne Sports and are relishing their Second Qualifying Round second bite of the cheery against Warren Feeney’s side.

“I really don’t know what to say about Saturday’s display from the boys over at Park View Road.  We went into the game with a good game plan and have to say the boys carried out the task just as we asked,” said Ashanike.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy and the plan for us was to make it hard for them, which we did.

“They watched us twice and I believed they knew a lot about us, so we changed a few things to adapt to how they play and stopped their game plan, which we did all over the pitch.

“If someone told me before this season started that we will play eight games in The FA Cup, I wouldn’t have believed it!

“We asked for a good Cup run but the boys have given us a great Cup run already and we are all proud of them all.”

Welling United will have to put in a professional performance inside a compact stadium and on an artificial pitch and vocal home support close to the banks of the River Thames to avoid being on the end of a FA Cup upset.

“Moving onto Tuesday night is the same – go out and enjoy every second of the night with the fans and our families.  For some of us this sort of run will never happen again so it’s very important they enjoy the work that they have done,” added Ashanike.

“I know Welling United will be coming all out for the win and I’m sure their boys will be up for it.”

The Hackney resident had this message for the vocal Fisher faithful.

“We like to thank the fans for the support they gave us on Saturday.  They pushed us over the line, even when the fitness side of the game kicked in.  Our fans are just the best around.  We also like to say they also need to enjoy the day.”

Darnelle Bailey-King, Eniyelayefa Amgbaduba, Julio Da Mata, Fidan Jejzi, Oseman Usifoh, Foday Jaiteh are all currently injured on the sidelines, while Jacob Katonia and Tobi Urefin are serving three-match bans.

“With so many games we have picked up a few injuries along the way,” added the Fisher boss, who side have played 13 games since kicking off their campaign on 30 July 2022.

“All of those boys were starting each week but as a team we have been picking up some good results without them and credit to the boys for stepping up.

“I have to give a massive shout out to my coaching team, who have been working hard with the boys and getting the best out of them each week – and also my two physios for the way that they have been doing to get the boys fit and ready for us.

“Lastly, the team in the background that no one speaks about.  Thank you for all your hard work that you all put in every week for us all.”

The Wings, meanwhile, arrive in Rotherhithe sitting in fifth-place in the Vanrama National League South table with 16 points from their eight games, unbeaten in four and have kept clean sheets in their last three outings.

Fisher  v  Welling United
The Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round Replay
Tuesday 20 September 2022
Kick Off 7:45pm
at St Paul’s Stadium, Salter Road, Rotherhithe, London SE16 5EF