I thought we'd turn the corner, admits Fisher boss Steve Firkins

FISHER boss Steve Firkins vows to turn things around after his side stretched their unwanted run of only one win from their opening ten games.




The Fish were dumped out of The FA Carlsberg Vase by their Kent League rivals Canterbury City at Champion Hill yesterday.

Simon Austin’s side took the lead through Alex Nelson’s 20-yard screaming volley in the first half before debutant Huseyin Budak headed home a debut goal following a near post corner from substitute Damien Ramsamy in the 53^rd minute.

The Second Qualifying Round tie was heading towards extra time before Canterbury City skipper Kane Rice, 23, brought back memories of THAT David Beckham goal for Manchester United against Wimbledon keeper Neil Sullivan back in 1996, when he picked up the ball on the right and looked up and lobbed Fisher keeper Danny Firkins to score from 50-yards to snatch £700 in prize money and book a trip to Frimley Green in the First Round on 13 October.

Fisher find themselves in the bottom three in the Kent League table with one win and a draw from their opening seven league games.

But Firkins admitted his side are not getting the rub of the green so far this season but he is working tirelessly to turn things around in difficult circumstances.

He said: “We haven’t got a budget.  We’ve got to bring in players who are prepared to come here and play for nothing, who just want to play football and play for the club.

“If I had a budget and I was spending £800-£1,000 a week and getting beaten one in ten I’ll be worried but we’ve got nothing. I’ve got to bring players in who haven’t been making it at other clubs.”

Firkins was pleased with the performances from former Erith & Belvedere pair Budak and striker Badar Mohamed.

He said: “I thought Huseyin and Badar done well. I thought they made us look quite solid to be honest.  It was a good team ethic out there and when you’re in our position what could I do?  I’ve got to see what’s available and if they’re good enough, then we bring them in.”

Firkins says he will be at Champion Hill on Monday night to watch his youth side tackle Maidstone United in the FA Youth Cup First Qualifying Round.

The Fish produced a giant-killing in the Preliminary Round when they stunned Conference Premier outfit Ebbsfleet United by winning 7-6 after 120 minutes at Stonebridge Road.

Firkins said: “I hope they do well. I’ll probably come down to watch them.  There are a few that we’ve been keeping tabs on.  There’s a couple of lads in there that I’ve had good reports about. I’ll come down and have a look.  I haven’t had an opportunity to be honest with you but I will make the effort.”

Maidstone United thrashed Redhill 13-0 at The Gallagher Stadium in the first round and the side are managed by former Welling United captain Jack Parkinson, 23, who now plays for Conference Premier outfit Woking.

Parkinson, whose younger sibling Tom made his Canterbury City debut after coming off the bench for the injured Ryan Andrews in the 53^rd minute yesterday, says his players are looking forward to the game.

He said: “The boys are really looking forward to the game on Monday.  None of them are getting carried away after the last round but know we have a great chance of winning if they perform how they can.

“Fisher will be a decent side so it will be a tough game but we have prepared properly and are looking forward to the game.”

The winners of Monday’s game will face either VCD Athletic or Folkestone Invicta (who meet each other at Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford on Thursday night, 7:45pm) at home in the Second and final Qualifying round.

Firkins revealed yesterday that seventeen-year-old central defender Ben Frempah, who he snapped up from Welling United’s Academy, is on trial with Championship outfit Charlton Athletic.

Firkins said: “When he came training I couldn’t believe his age really.  He looks such a good centre half, technically good, decent in the air and he’s a nice lad.  Hopefully we can keep hold of them.”

Back to Fisher’s first team matters, Firkins takes his side to ninth-placed Deal Town next Saturday and wants a bit of luck to get their campaign back on track.

I’ve got to pick the lads up and get us prepared for Saturday,” said Firkins.

“It’s unfortunate we can only train once a week now – the facility can’t accommodate us – so we can only train once a week so we’ve only got Tuesday’s at the moment. It’s not ideal but we’ll try and make up for it on Tuesday and deal with it.

“It’s irrelevant really where they are, whether they’re bottom, top, middle, whatever.  We’ve just got to try and get something somewhere.

“I thought we turned the corner when we beat Cray Valley. We didn’t play particularly good that night but we ground out a result.  We had an awful turnout against Lordswood and yesterday was disappointing after a decent performance to come away with nothing.”

Visit Fisher’s website: www.fisherfc.co.uk

Fisher  v  Maidstone United
FA Youth Cup First Qualifying Round
Monday 17^th September 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, Dog Kennel Hill, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD