TUNBRIDGE WELLS 6

FISHER 1

Kent Premier League

DESPITE only being able to name three substitutes against Fisher on Saturday, Martin Larkin's Tunbridge Wells had far too much attacking power for their struggling visitors as they shipped six goals.

Ryan Rook, in particular, was outstanding on the day grabbing two, while midfielder Andy McMath's second goal, Wells' fourth, just after the interval was worth the admission fee alone.

Jack Harris and Gary Clarke got Wells' other goals in the romp – Rook also missed a penalty and the woodwork was struck twice, so Fisher can count themselves lucky they weren't on the end of a bigger hiding.

"When we saw them line up with a 3-5-2 formation, our eyes lit up," Larkin explained. "We have had great success against VCD, who play that way, however, the team talk we had been giving for the previous hour went out of the window! We got the early goals, but switched off for their goal and were affected by the ref too much. The only disappointing thing was about losing Jon (Pilbeam), but apart from that, we were very, very pleased with the way we played."

Fisher looked quite lively in attack, but their porous defence cost them as Wells cut them open time and time again. You had to feel sympathy for goalkeeper Joe Hagan – on loan from Tonbridge Angels – as, despite conceding six goals, the big haired stopper had a good game.

Wells opened the scoring in the third minute – Rook's cross from inside the area was headed in by McMath from eight yards out and 22 minutes later, Harris tapped in from close range after Hagan had initially saved Rook's shot.

Rook got on the scoresheet himself just after the half-hour mark, Jon Pilbeam picked out his team-mate inside the area and he finished low under the helpless Hagan.

Fisher pulled a goal back in the 38th minute, although time seemed to stand still in the build-up. Wells' players switched off totally, waiting for the referee to give a handball, and Adam Wadmore took advantage of the lapse in concentration from the hosts to turn and sweetly strike home from 25 yards past the puzzled Dean Nash.

Any hopes of a Fisher comeback were quickly dispelled when McMath expertly placed a shot into the top corner, three minutes into the second half. Wells scored two more goals through Rook and Clarke, but had their afternoon soured when Pilbeam was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 86th minute, although for what, remained a mystery to those inside the Culverden.

There was still time for Rook to see his penalty saved by Hagan in the dying stages, but Wells were worthy winners and this was perfect preparation for the visit of league leaders Herne Bay tomorrow (Saturday), kick-off 3pm.

Special mention must go to the five or so Fisher supporters – the group sang their hearts out for the entire 90 minutes, their best chant was when their team was 6-1 down and they chirped "We are going to win 7-6".