Match Preview – Fisher v Hollands and Blair

After a point midweek away against Erith & Belvedere the Fish will be looking to move up the table at home on Saturday against Hollands and Blair. Boss Gary Abbott has been impressed by his new pairing up front over the past couple of week, with Trey Williams bagging the equaliser on after Guylepsey Menga opened his account the previous weekend.

“Trey and Guylepsey will be very good together, it was a good reaction from Trey to score midweek. I’d also say a word about Mickel Thompson-Martley at the back who has come in on loan from Welling United, and we’re looking at him starting games. Obviously it was also good to see Isa’s wiser head in there to offer some experience.

Everyone worked so hard to press high up and stop them trying to play, that was pleasing to know the team was working together and like I’ve said before we should have won that game.  We stopped the losing streak, now we can build on that performance and work hard on Saturday to get those 3 points for the fans we are playing for. I was so pleased for the boys, it’s always nice to be told after the game what good young players we have got and the pace and intensity we have in the side from other managers.  It would be a crying shame to waste that performance and not do well on Saturday; every game in this league is tough but if you work hard you will get your rewards.”

Looking to tomorrow, Hollands and Blair are currently sat 7th in the table, but are only 6 points ahead of us. Bryan Greenfield’s side come into the game having lost 3-0 at home to Ashford United last weekend. Before that The Blair were on a pretty decent run, with 2 wins and 3 draws in their previous five matches.

Former Woodstock Sports man James McDonald has been in fine for this season, scoring 7 in 9 league starts; indeed McDonald is nearing his 150 goal mark for The Blair. Strike partner Gary Lockyer has also chipped in with 4 goals, so the Fisher defence will need to be concentrating on both danger men.

Last season the Fish didn’t come out on top in our encounters, going down 6-1 at Star Meadow (Tyrell McLeod-Bentley getting the consolation for Fisher) and shipping six again in a 6-3 loss at Champion Hill (Fleming, Jalloh and Gregory scoring). Hollands and Blair finished 2nd in the table last year, 12 points back from Greenwich Borough.

As ever we will be open at St Paul’s from 1.45pm, ready for a 3pm kick off. As we exclusively announced on social media earlier on Friday, the Board have been working hard behind the scenes with Southwark Council and have been granted a Temporary License for the game – so the Clubhouse Bar will be serving beer for the first time! We are delighted to be working with the outstanding Bermondsey brewery Fourpure Brewing Co, who are supplying three of their beers for fans to pick up tomorrow. We are looking forward to being able to support a local business and further bed Fisher into the local community through the bar. Unfortunately we are still without any furniture until the tender for the Stadium is concluded, but this is a great step forwards!

The Fisher Super Draw will be back with the chance to win £25, and you can still save money on the cost of following the Fish by picking up a Season Ticket for just £90, and you can get involved as a Member for just £10. Programmes will be available for £1.50.