Holmesdale ended Fisher’s impressive unbeaten run at Oakley Road on Saturday thanks to a man of the match performance from goalkeeper Adam Highstead and a solitary second half goal that won all three points for the side from Bromley Common.
The game got off to an open start, but Fisher soon started to dominate the play with some quick passing and long spells around the Dale area. A rare break by the home side was halted when Nathan Hunter crudely brought down James Shields 20 yards from goal.
After a series of corners Harry Draper hit the bar from just inside the box, Rob Brown fired wide and Matthew Ramsay had a low drive saved by Highstead.
As the visitors continued to press Lee Friend had a header saved and several tricky crosses into the box were brilliantly dealt with by Highstead under pressure.
The second half began in similar fashion, but Holmesdale battled their way back into things as it progressed.
Dale captain Kes Metitri who’d escaped without a caution for a heavy tackle seconds earlier was booked for a challenge just outside the box, but Ritchie Hamill drove his free kick over the bar and the home side almost immediately made them pay.
Sub Kameiko Pope-Campbell raced down the right wing before sending over a low driven cross which deflected off defender Dan Flemming into the net leaving Fisher keeper Nic Taylor stranded.
Toyeeb Babatunde forced another good save from Highstead soon after and then Trey Small fired a Toyo Adeshina cross over from close range.
For the remainder of the half Fisher pressed, but they could find no way through, Hunter put an effort over and then right at the death Small’s swift turn and shot was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Highstead.
The result will have left Fisher wondering how they and their excellent fans left with nothing to show for their efforts, but Holmesdale’s spirit, resilience and hard work was enough to see them through to a battling win.
Dale: Highstead, Burtonshaw, Teodorescu, Skelly, Locke, Metitiri, McCarthy, Stenning, Constable, Brown, Shields.
Subs: Darmoca, Henry-Francis, Duff, Pope-Campbell, Lawson.
Fisher: Taylor, Adeshina, Wright, R Brown, Flemming, Hunter, Ramsay, Draper, Friend, Hamill, Small.
Subs: J Brown, Ageymang, Pekun, Babatunde, Rogers.
HT 0-0 FT 1-0
Goal: Dale – Fleming OG 65mins.
Ref: Mr Tunnicliffe
Att: 61