I just couldn't work the way it was at Basildon United, says Ajay Ashanike, who walks away after only seven games in charge of the Essex club

FORMER Fisher manager Ajay Ashanike has walked away from Basildon United after only seven games in charge of the Essex club.

Ashanike won his last game in charge of Fisher, beating Bearsted 1-0 on Saturday 9 December and was unveiled as the Basildon United’s new manager a couple of days later.

However, it seems that highly-rated Ashanike regrets leaving Fisher to manage in the Isthmian League North Division.

“I thought we done ok, three out of seven from when we walked in but I just couldn’t work the way it was,” said Ashanike.

“Thank you every one that have reached out to me.

“I decided to walk myself after seven games.  I have my reasons but I wish Basildon United the best of luck and thank you for all the opportunity.  Some things ain’t just meant to be.”

A club statement added: “Basildon United wish to announce that manager Ajay Ashanike has decided to leave the club.

“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Ajay and his staff and wish them well with their future endeavours.”

Basildon United are in eighth-place in the Isthmian League North Division table, having picked up 36 points from 21 games (11 wins, three draws and 7 defeats).  They are a couple of points adrift of the play-off zone.

Basildon United’s results under Ashanike:

Lowestoft Town 5-1 Basildon United
Chatham Town 3-1 Basildon United – Velocity Cup Fourth Round
Basildon United 1-0 New Salamis
Basildon United 2-1 Brightlingsea Regent
Basildon United 4-2 Stowmarket Town
Basildon United 0-1 Ipswich Wanderers
Felixstowe & Walton United 1-0 Basildon United

Fisher, meanwhile, appointed Michael Williams, 34, to the hot-seat at St Paul’s Stadium and the club have gone seven (completed) games without a win.

Glebe 3-2 Fisher
Fisher 2-2 Stansfeld
Sutton Athletic 1-1 Fisher
Fisher 0-3 Corinthian
Fisher 2-5 Snodland Town
Cray Wanderers 3-0 Fisher – London Senior Cup Second Round
Fisher 1-4 Faversham Town

Fisher travel to second-from-bottom side Rusthall on Tuesday night.  The Fish are in 12^th place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having picked up 31 points from their 23 games (nine wins, four draws and 10 defeats).

Jimmy Anderson’s Rustics, meanwhile, have collected 17 points from 25 games, a point clear of bottom side Welling Town, who have a game in hand.

Six club’s are involved in the relegation battle, with Tunbridge Wells (23 points from 21 games), Sutton Athletic (18 points from 24 games), Stansfeld (18 points from 25 games), Kennington (17 points from 24 games), Rusthall and Welling Town (16 points from 24 games) all trying to avoid the one relegation spot.