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Fisher Athletic 3-1 Bromley
Tuesday 27th July 2004
Pre-Season Friendly
Stephen McCartney reports from Harrow Meadow

COLIN LUCKETT looks likely to miss the beginning of Bromley's Ryman League season after turning his left ankle on the disgraceful pitch at Harrow Meadow this evening.

Fisher Athletic, ironically switched the venue from their Surrey Docks Stadium to Greenwich Borough's Harrow Meadow ground in Eltham, because their pitch hasn't been fit enough to fulfill their pre-season programme, as they will be groundsharing at Dulwich Hamlet's Champion Hill for the next two years.

However, the pitch at the Go Travel Kent League outfit, which has lacked any investment from owners, Greenwich Council, resembled a Sunday League park pitch in April with rock hard goalmouths and from a lack of care and attention.

Luckett's incident took place in the 53rd minute in front of the dug-outs.  Left winger Scott Bennetts played a poor shot pass behind Luckett, who tried in vein to retrieve the ball before going out of play for a throw in.

But the former Fisher Athletic and Kingstonian left-back turned his left ankle on the bare bone hard surface close to the technical area, and was clearly in agony.

He will surely miss the club's Ryman League opening fixture against Horsham at Hayes Lane on 14th August.

However, the home side, who should be favourites to land the Southern League Division One East championship this season, with many summer signings, raced into an early lead.

New recruit, Steve Watts left goalkeeper Alex O'Reilly standing with a clinical strike inside the bottom far corner of the net, with only 63 seconds elapsed on the clock.

After eighteen minutes, the former Leyton Orient player, left Bromley right-back Steve Potterill in his wake, before curling a shot towards goal, but this time the former Gravesend & Northfleet shot-stopper was equal to it.

Three minutes later, Damien Scannell chased a long ball down the left flank, managed to keep the ball in play, close to the touch-line, before cutting inside Potterill, but his fierce shot was beaten out by the Bromley goalkeeper.

Bromley's best opening of the half came moments before the home side doubled their lead.

Striker Paul Vines' saw goalkeeper Jerome John rush off his line, and the former Cray Wanderers' striker lobbed the ball over him, but he was denied a goal by a fantastic goal line clearance on the right post from Nicky Davis.

Watts', however, increased Fisher's lead with another clinical finish in the 29th minute when he picked his spot into the bottom far corner of the net from inside the penalty area.

Fisher goalkeeper John watched Scott Bennett's screamer fly wide of the left post before the break before another penetrating run down the left flank by talented Watts' created an opportunity for his strike partner Scannell, who incidentally were both wearing the number ten shirt, but he drilled a shot wide of the far upright.

Many second half substitutions made clear-cut goalscoring chances come at a premium, but the game came to life in the final twelve minutes.

Teenage Bromley substitute goalkeeper Harry Hunter saw a deep cross go towards his far post and Fisher substitute Terry Khan headed back across the face of goal but his attempt was cleared.

Bromley hit-man Adolph Amoako carved an opportunity for Bennetts whose drilled shot went wide of the far post, before Amoako scored from the penalty spot in the 85th minute.

Solomon Taywo smashed a free kick from the left of the D, into the wall which lined up in front of John and after a moments hesitation from referee Ron Albert, he pointed to the penalty spot.

Amoako, who scored 25 goals last season, sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, with a well taken spot kick.

The victory was wrapped up for Fisher inside injury time when Ray Powell latched onto a header from former Bromley striker Leroy Huggins, and although he looked to be in an offside position, play continued.

Hunter thought the striker was offside, and was slow coming off his line, but Powell took the ball inside the bemused goalkeeper before tapping home from close range.


Bromley: Alex O'Reilly (Harry Hunter 66), Steve Potterill (Dean Frost 52), Colin Luckett (Tim Murdoch 55), Matt Kember (Tutu Henriques 63), Mark Willy (Capt), Danny Arkwright (Paul Kember 86), Gary Drewett (Anthony Pace 75), Chris Hill (Solomon Taywo 33), Mark Watson (Joel Bevis 71), Paul Vines (Adolph Amoako 64), Scott Bennetts.  Sub: Mark Roberts