Former skipper returns to Fisher

Sunday 07th March 2010

FISHER manager Gary Lisney has strengthened his squad ahead of Monday night’s London Senior Cup showdown against neighbours Cray Wanderers, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Champion Hill based club acknowledge the London Senior Cup as their FA Cup this season, as the club re-formed after the deadline of submitting their applications for FA competitions and the Kent Senior Trophy.

Wins over Kingsbury London Tigers and Haringey Borough has set up a local derby against Ryman Premier League side Cray Wanderers and victory will see a visit from big-spending Croydon Athletic in the quarter-finals.

This season’s final will be staged at Harrow Borough’s Earlsmead on Wednesday 28th April.

With his side struggling in the bottom two of the Bulmers Cider Kent League table (three points clear or Lordswood, with 3 wins and 4 draws from their 20 league outings), Lisney has strengthened his squad for their last remaining 10 league games.

Former Fisher Athletic captain Cedric Abraham has signed for the club, having arrived from Ryman League Division One South outfit Merstham.

Abraham, who is equally comfortable at centre back or centre forward, makes his second debut for the Fish tomorrow.

“I'm delighted that we've managed to sign a player of this calibre,” Lisney told www.fisherfc.co.uk.

“Cedric will be an excellent acquisition for us and will provide some much needed experience within the side.”

The 27-year-old began his career in France with Toulouse and enjoyed spells with the likes of Bordeaux and Bastia earlier in his career.

He moved to England in 2007 with Boston United and played 31 games in the Blue Square South last term with Weston-super-Mare and Fisher Athletic, who Abraham skippered on 14 occasions.

Looking forward to the Cray Wanderers Cup clash, Lisney said: “It's a huge game for us and I'm really looking forward to it. We've trained well this week - we’re focused on this game and we want to do well.”

He added: “We've also signed a young lad from Barnet - Declan Thompson who is a forward and has looked very good in training. We've also released forward Sam May who has been struggling for fitness and Ricky McDonald.

“We were relieved to stop the rot against Lordswood last time out, a points a point and with results going our way as well it's boosted everyone's morale.

“As I've said before it will be a very tough game against Cray, they've alleviated any concerns over relegation of late so I'm sure they will also be keen to put on a good show and play a strong line up.

“Hopefully our supporters will turnout in force and witness an excellent contest - it should be a great night for the club."

Cray Wanderers lost only their second league game in eight, when Wealdstone came away from Hayes Lane with a 3-1 win at the weekend.

Ian Jenkins’ side have hit form at the right time in recent weeks and have climbed out of the Ryman Premier League relegation zone - but every team must be alive in that division in the tightest division in the country.

Yesterday’s results leaves the club five points above the drop zone - in 18th place - but the Wands have enough in their locker to maintain their current status.

“The team realised that they were under-achieving before Christmas, but I always believed we could turn it around,” Jenkins told www.craywands.co.uk.

“Early on, we were letting in some really soft goals, but we tightened up the defence and midfield and they’re doing well.”

Jenkins has shuffled his pack in recent weeks, with Tyrone Sterling signing for Tony Dolby’s Hastings United, Steve Aris hanging up his boots and Ross Lover moving to an uncustomary right-back position, where he seems to have settled in well.

And Jenkins said: "Yeah, Tyrone's gone off to Hastings. We wish him well there. He wanted regular first team football, which he wasn't always getting with us.

"It was a bit the same with Steve. He has work commitments and couldn't justify himself sitting on the bench when he could be working on his business. He's not gone anywhere else and he's still available to us if we need him."

Lover has been ruled out for a couple of weeks, with a foot ligament injury.

Jenkins, meanwhile, hopes to retain the services of Thomas James Moncur, who has a Football League pedigree.

“If we can keep him until the end of the season it'll be good. He's got a good level of experience behind him,” said Jenkins.

With ten league game’s remaining, Jenkins is looking up, rather than down.

He said: "If we can get a couple of wins behind us in the next three or four games, and other results go our way, then we should be on the road to safety. After that, we'll see where it takes us.

"Maybe we can still get in amongst the play-off places. That'll be a bonus. A win will put us on 41 points and put us in the top half of the table. That’ll be okay, because people can then se us all the time in the league table on Sky Sports News.”

Following their home win over Ashford Town last week, Cray Wanderers are now in the semi-finals of the Kent Senior Cup and a win at Champion Hill on Monday night will put the club in the last eight of the London Senior Cup.

“It would be nice to get into the final of one of the remaining cups - either the Kent or the London Senior, either will do me,” he added.

Admission prices have been confirmed as £5 (adults), £3 (senior/unmployed) and £1 (under 16s)

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game

Quotes courtesy of www.fisherfc.co.uk & www.craywands.co.uk (Trevor Mulligan)

Fisher v Cray Wanderers

London Senior Cup Third Round

Monday 8th March 2010

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Champion Hill Stadium, Dog Kennel Hill, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD