DEAN HARRISON is calling on the local community to come out and support Fisher’s bid to reach the Southern Counties East Football League Challenge Cup final when they host Corinthian at St Paul’s next Tuesday.
Fisher battled to a 0-0 draw against the SCEFL Premier Division leaders in last week’s first leg.
It means the tie is going to plan for Harrison’s side as they look to compete the job in Rotherhithe.
“We went to get draw or nick a 1-0, really,” boss Harrison said. “We went defensive with ten men behind the ball to come away with something.
“They’re very well organised and good at what they do, they’re a physical side.
“We have come back with something and we’re confident against anyone at home.
“We’d love to get the locals out to support us. We’ve been getting 170s, 180s, which is really good for this league, but there’s the potential for more fans, especially for a cup semi-final.
“It would be great if the community came out.”
Fisher have exceeded expectations this season after promotion from Division One last season. They have one of the lowest budgets in the division but are currently third, just four points off table-toppers and Tuesday’s opponents Corinthian.
Fisher can only afford to train once a week and Harrison revealed he was told in February the budget was going to run out at the end of the month.
“Somehow we’ve got enough to get through until the end of the season,” Harrison continued. “I would ask anyone to please come forward [to invest].
“It’s been a remarkable season, unimaginable. We were relegation favourites from the start. I know clubs down the bottom paying two, three times what we’re paying.
“Players that we’ve wanted to bring in have gone to other places for more money.”
Only one side is promoted to the Isthmian League at the end of the season.
Harrison added: “We’ve overachieved, but they’re a really decent group of lads. We’re up there amongst it. It’s going to be difficult, teams around us are strengthening and we’ve had injuries and suspensions.
“But one thing I know is the boys will give it everything.”
Fisher kept up their unlikely promotion challenge with a 1-0 win over Tunbridge Wells at St Paul’s on Saturday, secured courtesy of Harry Tobin’s twelfth-minute goal.
Now focus fully switches to Tuesday night’s attempt to reach a cup final.
“A trophy would be amazing for the club, such a massive achievement,” Harrison said. “All the players deserve something, the fans have been unreal, 25, 30 following us away in Kent and it pushes the lads on.
“Even to get to the cup final would be marvellous.
“I’ve always tried to get it into the boys when we’ve found ourselves vying at the top to just go out and enjoy it.
“The pressure is on other teams and we’re just enjoying doing what we’re doing.”
*Kick-off at St Paul’s in Rotherhithe next Tuesday (March 12) is 7.45pm.
Image: @brockleylion