fisher241005

Thursday 01st September 2005

Kinnear: We've taken a lot of positives

Monday 24th October 2005	Ryman Premier League	Stephen McCartney reports from Champion Hill
Fisher Athletic	2	Leroy Griffiths 11 Hamid Barr 87 (pen)
Margate	1	Ellis Remy 77

Hamid Barr's penalty three minutes from time stole a deserved point away from Margate on a wet and windy night in South London, writes Stephen McCartney.

The former Tonbridge Angels' player-manager fired home the penalty inside the bottom right hand corner despite goalkeeper Charlie Mitten guessing the right way.

But Margate manager Chris Kinnear felt aggrieved that Fisher striker Leroy Griffiths remained on the pitch after clashing with Margate full-back James Smith eight minutes earlier, and felt the decision against John Keister for bringing down Charlie Hearn inside the box was harsh.

Griffiths, was lucky to escape with just a yellow card and in a separate incident on the far touchline Steve Watts also collected a booking following a flare-up.

"I thought we deserved to get a point, but get three there really," Kinnear told www.kentishfootball.co.uk in the post-match press conference.

"Why that penalty was given no-one will know! They were lucky to have had eleven players on the pitch at the end - if it was one of our players he would have gone.

"There were some funny old decisions going on out there but that's what happens.

"You tend to come here and maybe officials tend to get intimidated? I don't know."

But substitute Ellis Remy's fifth goal of the season brought the Thanet side back on level terms with thirteen minutes remaining.

Osman Sesay's pin-point cross on the right found the unmarked Remy, who stroked the ball through James Pullen's legs from six yards at the far post.

It was what Margate deserved after falling a goal behind after just eleven minutes.

Former Welling United star Anthony Riviere's cross was met by a thumping shot from former Grays Athletic striker Griffiths, which gave Mitten no chance.

Margate, however, created their chances too. Leon Braithwaite (knee), who was replaced at half time by their goalscorer, blazed over from twelve yards and former Bromley striker Adolph Amoako squandered two good chances.

The quick striker was twice denied by Pullen during the first half as he latched onto through balls from the impressive Bertie Brayley and then Braithwaite

Three minutes into the second half, however, Pullen made a fine double save from Margate's player-coach Keister.

And the Sierra Leione international tried his luck from 40-yards after 65 minutes. Brayley tried to bring Mitten's long kick down the middle of the pitch under control and the loose ball was picked up by Keister but his shot blazed high over the bar and into the car park.

But after Margate's equaliser some of the players lost their heads in two incidents but Fisher continue their march towards promotion.

Kinnear, however, although disappointed with their second Ryman Premier League defeat of the season, remains upbeat for their trip to Braintree Town on Saturday.

"We've taken a lot of positives out there," he said. "I thought the second half we looked the side that wanted to be positive.

"To be fair, there's some very good players there but we looked the team today - maybe not with the talent but with team spirit.

"Very disappointed, but we take big heart from that."

He added: "It is hard here, Fisher do pass it about and they've got some good talented players but we were creating chances.

"If you look at the stats we had many more chances."

And looking ahead to their trip to Cressing Road, Kinnear added: "That's going to be another difficult one isn't it?

After taking Braithwaite off at the break, Kinnear revealed the striker is suffering with a knee problem, but added: "We don't know the full extent of it but he wasn't very comfortable but hopefully he'll be allright for Saturday."

Fisher Athletic: James Pullen, Chris Piper, Matthew Powell, Tim Clancy, Francis Duku, Charlie Hearn, Anthony Riviere (Damian Scannell 83), Michael Smith, Leroy Griffiths (Lenny Piper 83), Steve Watts, Hamid Barr. Subs: Nick Davis, Ryan Kirby, Will Packham (GK)

Margate: Charlie Mitten (Capt), Osman Sesay, Bertie Brayley, Bill Edwards, James Smith, Hasim Deen, John Keister, Warren Ryan, Leon Braithwaite (Ellis Remy 45), Adolph Amoako, Dean Standen. Subs: Paul Egan, Ian Hilaire, James Donovan, Daniel Sacha

Attendance: 192
Referee: Mr Justin Comley (Windsor)
Assistants: Mr Nigel Lugg (Chipstead) & Mr Rob Allum (Croydon)