Fisher 1 Tower Hamlets 2

Pre Season Friendly, Coldharbour Leisure Centre, Mottingham, Eltham, South London, Tuesday 14th July 2015

On a rather dank and dismal evening in South London I found myself watching Fisher and Tower Hamlets in what was both sides opening friendlies of the season. Fisher were in a very bright orange kit which was the only thing bright about the surroundings and heavy rain clouds gathered up above.

Hamlets were in a white strip and chose to attack the end to my left in the first half meaning hosts Fisher would kick off. This was lost on Hamlets who lined up to kick off themselves before the referee reminded them they had chosen ends!!! Only in pre season eh.

Hamlets were still dosing when Fisher went on the attack from the kick off and were ahead inside a minute as a simple ball into the six yard box was side footed home by Thomas Jewersgiving Fisher a very early advantage. Fisher 1 Hamlets 0.

The hosts threatened again on 5 minutes when their winger cut onto his left foot and forced a decent save from the Hamlets keeper. Hamlets had started very slowly indeed although they did have their first effort on target after nine minutes as a great crossfield ball was well controlled by winger Randell Williams who proceeded to cut onto his left foot and struck a decent effort at goal which the keeper saved fairly comfortably.

On the quarter hour mark Hamlets should have levelled as they passed up a great opportunity as striker Edison Teberen received the ball inside the box and with the keeper to beat fired wideof the target from a few yards out. It really was a gilt edged chance and three minutes later almost went further behind after a decent effort from outside the Hamlets box was saved by their keeper.

Just three minutes after this though Hamlets were level as after good work from Randell Williams his eventual ball inside saw Edison Teberen, who missed only a few moments earlier, make no mistake this time as he lifted the ball over the advancing keeper and into the far corner for a well taken goal. Fisher 1 Hamlets 1.

Just before the half hour mark Fisher almost retook the lead when a ball across goal towards the back post was struck into the side netting with the keeper no where near had it gone on target. Fisher were looking dangerous from crosses and set pieces and just past the half hour mark a dangerous free kick into the Hamlets box saw two miss headers end in a goal kick for the visitors.

Two minutes later another set piece into the Hamlets area saw Fisher head just over the bar when unmarked so probably should of done better. The rain was now coming down fairly hard so at half time some people made for the shelter of the cafe across the way but it was a fairly decent half of football were both teams had their periods of pressure so it was no surprise it was level at the break.

Half Time: Fisher 1 Tower Hamlets 1

Amazingly at the start of the second half Fisher lined up to take the kick off even though they had done this at the start of the game and after complaints from Hamlets the referee had to ask his linesman who had kicked off at the start of the game, and when informed it was Fisher he quickly told them to let Hamlets take the restart, madness utter madness but funny nonetheless!!!

Hamlets were far more alert to the start of this half and only two minutes into it went in front as winger Randell Williams shrugs off his marker to cross for Edison Teberen who side footed home first time from close range for his and Hamlets second of the contest. Their were faint moans from Fisher for a foul in the build up but it was just a shoulder to shoulder shrug from Williams who was just stronger than he opponent in my view. Fisher 1 Hamlets 2.

Moments later Hamlets threatened again as a quick throw released Edison Teberen who hit a shot just wide from an acute angle but Hamlets were definitely on top in this second half. Just past the hour they so nearly made it three as the ever dangerous Randell Williams ran onto a forward pass and lofted an effort inches wide of the far post with the keeper in no mans land.

Fisher regrouped and as plenty of substitutes were being made they gradually stated to crank up the pressure themselves. With twenty minutes to go the hosts had a good effort at goal from outside the area but it was straight at the keeper and then two minutes later another effort fizzed just.wide of Hamlets upright as Fisher had upped the tempo somewhat.

With fifteen minutes to go Fisher whipped a free kick just wide and then two minutes later good strength from the hosts saw them released on goal but the effort was straight at the keeper when he really should of scored and levelled the match once again. It had been a very good competitive game with some tough tackles out there, mainly from Hamlets who were starting to annoy their hosts a little.

Hamlets though rode out all that pressure and as the clocked ticked down to its conclusion they still had that slender advantage. On 90 minutes though Fisher thought they had got their equaliser after a long range effort came back off the keeper and was followed in by a Fisher player but he was flagged offside and the goal was chalked off. It did seem the correct decision to be fair.

Hamlets then went down the other end and tried to catch the hosts keeper out with an effort from way out but the keeper was alert to it and easily got back to catch the shot. Soon after the referee brought the game to a close and Hamlets had won by a slender goal advantage. A good high tempo game this and plenty of positives to take for both sides.

Full Time: Fisher 1 Tower Hamlets 2

Here are some photos from the evening:-