By Owen Quinn
Fisher rounded off a fantastic final week of the season, with a 7-0 victory over Tower Hamlets on Easter Monday and a last-day 6-2 rout of K Sports, and manager Ajay Ashanike is feeling optimistic going into the next campaign.
After a disappointing March, when the Fish were in fifteenth in the SCEFL Premier Division table after targeting a top-ten finish, Ashanike said it was “vital the boys finish the season strong and take that momentum into next season”.
That is exactly what Fisher did in the final month. They did not lose in six matches in April and they were the only side in the bottom half of the table to finish with a positive goal difference. Fisher ended the season in thirteenth place.
Ashanike is looking for squad consistency going into next season. He explained: “The turnover of players has been high this year. I believe if I can keep at least 80 per cent of the squad we have we’ll be in a great position to compete certainly for top ten and maybe higher.”
There are three positions in need of strengthening, according to the boss: “an experienced centre-half, a central midfielder and a striker. I believe with those I’d have the squad right where I want it.”
It’s been no secret that Fisher work with no budget. For Ashanike and his coaching staff it’s all about giving young players a chance. “I’m happy to not have a budget, to be honest,” he said. “I love the job I do and giving young talents a chance.
“The best thing for me is finding these players from divisions below ours and giving them a chance to showcase their ability and help them progress in their footballing journey.”
There will be plenty of positives to take from Fisher’s final game of the season, a brilliant victory over a young K Sports side at St Paul’s.
The home players put on an excellent showing in front of over 200 Fisher faithful in attendance. Star man Isaac Thompson scored a hat-trick and fittingly one of the goals of the season with the final kick of the campaign, a sensational strike from 25 yards that crashed off the underside of the crossbar and in.
It was all smiles for Thompson who picked up three end-of-season awards after the match: top-scorer, as well as players’ player and supporters’ young player of the year. Ajay will be hopeful Thompson sticks around as he looks to build his side for next season.
Ashanike’s final message at the end of the season was typically humble. Ashanike thanked “the fans that turn up every week, my coaching staff who have been unbelievable all season, the volunteers around the ground and of course the players”.