We need to step it up if we're going to make a serious challenge, says Fisher boss Steve Firkins

FISHER boss Steve Firkins has threatened to wield the axe for their tasty derby crunch game at Greenwich Borough on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.


Fisher were floored by Erith & Belvedere on the opening day of the new Kent Hurlimann Football League season, as goals from brothers Paul and Adam Gross ensured Fisher began the new campaign in the same position as they finished last – at the foot of the table.

Firkins returns to Oakley Road, where he spent three years in charge of Greenwich Borough, and guided them to 3^rd, 5^th and fourth place under trying circumstances.

Firkins has taken his entire coaching and playing staff with him to Champion Hill, leaving Gerry Cox to pick up the pieces and to start again.

Firkins, meanwhile, is not getting drawn into his return to his former club.

He said: “I would just look at it as just another game really, but the thing is we’re going into that game defeated and we have to pick it up.

“We’re going there now with a home defeat and we need to turn it around, so I’ve got to look at what sort of character I’ve got in the side.”

Greenwich Borough have kept a very low profile during the summer and their only home friendly – against Leatherhead – was cancelled last Tuesday, due to safety concerns in the wake of the London Riots that struck the northern end of Bromley 24 hours earlier.
Firkins acknowledged the fact that Greenwich Borough will want to get one over him.

“Of course they will. Without doubt,” he said.  “I don’t think there’s too many players there that I know from our old days there, one or two that were there, but I don’t know what sort of squad Gerry’s got but good luck to them.”

Fisher play their historic FA Cup tie away to Chichester City next Saturday – although Fisher Athletic played many FA Cup ties in the past before their demise just over three years ago.

Chichester opened their Sussex County League campaign with a 3-0 home defeat to AFC Uckfield, yesterday, and they only have Lingfield below them in the table.

“It’s going to be a historic day and it’s going to be a sad day if we perform like that again,” said Firkins, who was clearly bitterly disappointed with his side after yesterday’s set-back.

“It’s not acceptable and if Chichester had anybody here watching I think they’d go away quietly confident.”

Firkins gave his squad a public dressing down out on the Champion Hill pitch after yesterday’s 2-0 defeat to Erith & Belvedere.

“You’ll see a big difference in the way we’ll play in future,”  Firkins insisted.

“It’s done and dusted now, there’s nothing we can do about it.  We’ve got to roll our sleeves up and graft and do a lot of hard work.”

Firkins admitted too many disappointing performances will not be conducive in meeting his top-three target.

He added: “I was disappointed with the way we conceded but we need to step it up if we’re going to make a serious challenge.”

Visit Fisher’s website: www.fisherfc.co.uk  

Greenwich Borough  v  Fisher
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Tuesday 16^th August 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
at 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HQ