Match report: Fisher 1-1 Millwall XI

Fisher FC 1 – 1 Millwall XI

On the back of a two nil victory against Peacehaven & Telscombe FC, Fisher were looking for another well-fought match in their pre-season campaign.

Playing host to a Millwall XI largely consisting of under-18 and academy players, the Fish defended well but struggled to capitalise on their attacking opportunities. In the first half, Fisher had three shots at goal yet none of them were on target – a few shots and free kicks from the strikers just went the wrong side of the woodwork.

The action remained in the centre of the pitch with a few darting runs down the wings by both sides. However it wasn’t until Fisher captain Luke Haidarovic was caught trying to pass the ball out from the back that the Millwall XI were gifted a goal – striker George Alexander was able to coolly slot the ball into the back of net from a mere eight yards out. Reflecting on the costly error manager Dean Harrison told Kentish Football: “We don’t play out from the back! It’s drummed into the boys. We do NOT do it!

“He’s taken a roasting in the dressing room for doing that. He knows he’s wrong.”

HT: Fisher FC 0 – 1 Millwall XI

Seeing as the Millwall XI only had one shot and one shot on target in the first 45 minutes, Fisher were certainly unlucky to be behind at the break.

After the interval and a strong team talk by the manager, Fisher came out with more vigour and deservedly equalised only five minutes into the second half; midfielder Rob Brown with a rocket of a free kick that the Millwall XI keeper could only parry into his own net.

Fisher number 3 Ritchie Hamill replicated his free kick against Peacehaven the previous weekend, narrowly hitting the ball above the top right corner of the crossbar. Almost perfect placement, just once again the wrong side of the woodwork.

There were some good chances for both teams throughout the final 45 minutes – right-footed drives, fingertip saves, goal line scrambles and even an 89^th minute header from a free kick that found its way down the throat of the Millwall XI keeper.

For the 233 fans that attended the match, there weren’t as many as goals as last year’s fixture but it was still an opportunity for the young ones to cheer on their respective clubs. In the Dockers End stand, a group of Millwall fans urged the Fisher keeper to kick the ball into his own net – anything just for Millwall to win. He turned around and gave them a polite smile. “Not this time, sorry” he was probably thinking.

The full time whistle blew and that was that. A draw for the Fish, which maintains their undefeated pre-season campaign. Regardless of the result, this pre-season match gave Fisher a good indication of positives and pointers to work on ready for the official season to start in August.