The Archers looked to bounce back from last weeks disappointing result against Handcross, when they travelled to the picture postcard village of Lindfield, to face a side second bottom in the league, having acquired just seven points all season. Fletching beat ‘Field 4-1 back at The Recreation Ground, but Carters side have struggled in recent weeks to dispatch teams who are struggling near the foot of the table and today’s game was no different.

There was doubt ahead of the match as to whether it would take place or not, following the heavy downpours the night before, but the sloping pitch had drained well and a clear, sunny afternoon prevailed. With The First Team game cancelled, a strong travelling contingent made the short distance to the Haywards Heath based outfit. They witnessed Carter switch back to a tried and tested 4-5-1 formation, looking to pack the midfield after conceding four poor goals the previous week. Donnelly played the lone front man after impressing against Handcross, whist the regular midfield trio of Head, Hartup and Dickens were supported by the experience and direct pace and power of utility men Dowding and Keoshgerian on the left and right flanks respectively. Duly was called in from The Firsts to take his place alongside Hill, Eastoe and Jefford at the back, as Stevens, Benton and Greg Dann claimed a place on the bench.

Influential captain Chris Hartup won the toss and elected to kick down the slope with a strong wind in their favour, as Fletching looked to seize an early ascendancy. The visitors started much the stronger, looking assured as they calmly took their time on the ball, stroking it backwards when required, in what was a patient build up. A much more inventive passing side than in previous weeks, battled well against their young, but big and psychical opponents, as Fletching utilised the wind advantage to spread the play from left to right. For the opening twenty minutes The Villagers were certainly the better side, as they found themselves in lots of space and with lots of time, which in truth they probably didn’t expect. The midfield were working tirelessly allowing Dickens, Dowding and Keoshgerian freedom all over the park, the two wingers finding time to cut inside and out with their swift passing and movement, as they drove on forward to support ‘Y.T.S’ Donnelly.

Fletching created several good chances, Dowding going close on more than one occasion but being denied by a useful looking keeper, whilst Hartup curled a left footer just wide of the post, as ‘Field struggled to cope with The Archers veteran midfield, which was bolstered by the inclusion of Jefford and Eastoe who continually stepped in from a defensive role. Dickens did well to work space in the box, but with the keeper seemingly beaten, he saw his scrambled second effort cleared off the line by a defender. ‘Champagne’ Sol was relentless as ever in his hunt for the ball, catching Lindfield napping as he won possession and Dowding was continuing to make a nuisance in and around the danger area with his mammoth throw-ins, but his side could find no way through.

The home side weathered The Archers attacking presence, and fought extremely well, especially against the conditions, playing simple football as a team, looking nothing like a side who are fighting the drop. As Carters side became increasingly frustrated from the lack of result in front of goal, they pushed men further forward which left gaps at the back, as a previously redundant Hill and Duly found themselves under more and more pressure from the mounting Lindfield breaks. The home side could have been two up as their long ball game caught the Archers defence flat footed but at the other end Dowding saw a fantastic free kick pushed onto the post by the keeper, who minutes later punched a long range Dickens effort to safety.

It was Lindfield who took the lead just after the half hour mark. Another break from deep saw a ball over the top which left it two on two with The Archers centre backs as their striker finally found his shooting boots to slide it calmly passed Bradley for one nil. The remainder of the half was an exciting end-to-end affair, as Dowding had further opportunities to restore parity for Fletching, whilst Field could have doubled their lead. Carter had some serious thinking to do for half time, as his side, who were technically better, had no answer for the commitment and spirit of their lowly opposition.

Fletching continued at the pacey and attacking tempo they maintained in the first half, and a similar pattern of play followed. Playing against the wind they kept the ball down on the deck, looking to the constant running of Keoshgerian and Dowding for inspiration, but still they looked slightly exposed at the back as they chased the game. With little more than ten minutes in and Fletching were gifted a lifeline when ‘Champagne’ Sol went on another jinking run before being taken out just inside the box. Big skipper, Hartup took responsibility and stepped up from twelve yards, where he then blasted way, way over the cross bar.

Five minutes later and The Villagers got a deserved equaliser. Dickens found himself on the edge of the box with his back to goal. The attacking midfielder and Fletching stalwart turned and fired in an instant, through a crowded box where the keeper could only just get fingers on it. With The Archers back in the game Carter went for a tactical change, pushing Dowding up front alongside Donnelly as Head made way for the attack minded Greg Dann who occupied the left flank.

Within moments Fletching found themselves in the lead. This time after great passing and movement in the middle, Keoshgerian fired in a thunderous dipping volley from well outside the D, which had the goal keeper beaten all ends, before smashing against the cross bar and down over the line. Carters side were now in the ascendancy and should have had the momentum to further their lead, however they found themselves on the back foot, as the fast pace nature of their game, began to show with several tired passes finding opposition players and Lindfield came right back into the match with an equaliser.

The action remained largely end-to-end, Dann had made a real difference with his powerful, driving runs and could have added to his tally for the season, whilst Donnelly, after scoring his first for the club last week, almost made it two in two, his shot cannoning of the post. Fletching gambled with an attacking double substitution, the fresh legs of Benton and Stevens coming on for Donnelly and Dowding, both creating chances, but unable to find the killer ball as the time, and chance of three points slowly ticked away, as the game finished all square.

Team: Bradley, Hill, Duly, Eastoe, Jefford, Keoshgerian, Dowding (Stevens 76), Head (G.Dann 58), Hartup, Dickens, Donnelly (Benton 76)