15thmar04

Fisher continue to make progress

Within minutes of the final whistle heralding another important victory for his side against Bashley on Saturday, Wayne Burnett, caretaker-manager of Dr Martens League Eastern Division club Fisher Athletic, took time out to confirm to www.nonleaguedaily.com that it had been a very hard-earned but vitally important victory that sets up things nicely for the visit of title-contenders Histon in Monday's clash at the Surrey Docks Stadium.

" I am delighted with the level of commitment from my side and at times we played very well indeed," said Burnett. "We will indeed take every game as it comes but on the back of this result we can now build for the Histon game."

The Fisher caretaker/player-manager was a tower of strength at the heart of his side's defensive duties, but had warm praise for the contributions of new signing Lenny Piper, making his Fisher debut after signing up only days previously from Dagenham & Redbridge.

Piper  looked comfortable on the ball and impressed throughout. Michael Smith, operating in midfield, also drew warm plaudits from his manager and is in a rich vein of form at present.

After having the best of the early chances the visitors fell behind shortly before the break when Leroy Huggins pounced for the first of his two match-winning goals on 40 minutes, this after the impressive Richard Brady saw his effort rebound from the crossbar.

The second period saw Ray Powell convert from the penalty spot, before Huggins effectively wrapped up the points with the third goal.

Burnett added: "A top eight finish is still our priority, and although it will be a very tall order, we will go for it and not concede until it's mathematically impossible."

The Fisher faithful are impressed by the professional attitude shown both on and off-the-field by players and management alike, as they rekindle their stated dream of a return to the heady days of the of Nationwide Conference attained in the late 1980's. They have a massive belief also in their new club owner Sam Modroglu, a man charting their progress off-the-field in the most impressive and dignified manner.

(Dave Griffiths)