For the benefit of Stuart Jefford who tells me my reports are far too long: it was a good game and we won 2-1!

For the rest of you read on…

After a week of lots of talking about everything other than why we are at Fletching FC it was good to get into a changing room and smell the embrocation mixed with male flesh, a smell we all love (this is getting far too Michael Duffy!) and look forward too. We had sixteen players turn up plus Mark Dann who willing as he was couldn’t get himself on the team sheet and two players knew they were to be disappointed but this did not spoil their need to support their club, team and colleagues. Marcus Barbe made his debut after it was delayed last week, he was joined in the starting line up by his brother Steve and Pete Burchett who dropped down from a fixtureless First Team. Gary Smith also made his first start of the season after re-signing the other week.

The rallying cry from the gaffer was on similar themes and the pre-match warm up had a purpose and joy that you know will transcend onto the pitch come the referees whistle. And indeed that proved to be the case. It’s quite remarkable that the game remained on following a week of torrential downpours but credit to all the Cuckfield boys who right up to kick off time were busy squeegeeing off standing water over central parts of the playing area. The ground was remarkably firm underfoot and it allowed for both teams to play very good one and two touch football and for us on the sidelines the game was a very surprising spectacle.

The home side opened the game very well and a couple of their flowing moves could have threatened our goal but wayward finishing allowed us to settle and play as we know we can. Early forays into Cuckfield territory put through Benton and Burchett whose shots were saved by a less than mobile keeper and the goal remained gaping for anyone who followed in but alas we stood and admired from afar. Credit to the younger Barbe whose left wing cunning proved too much for their defender who albeit to comedian parents was named James Brown! He couldn’t “get on his good foot” to stop Barbe “taking him to the bridge” on several occasions (obviously these are ones for some of our older readers Sol!) but I’ll stop now as the opposing manager told me he’s heard it all before! If Marcus Barbe had an end product he would be lethal- something to work on in training methinks- as quite often young wingers tend to be with two touches too many but credit to the boy, he scared their defence witless.

Deep into the first half another Fletching advance ended with a good cross from the right which the manager Carter, giving himself a rare start, tapped in only for the home lino to flag a late offside. Was it really offside when the ball gets parried forward by the keeper into the path of our striker? Not sure but I felt it was harsh.

Half time came and a good opportunity to put right some of the little things seen by me, ‘Fatty’ Clark and Danno but an encouraging performance just the same. Second half saw Cuckfield pull their mobile striker back into central defence (not sure why as he was a constant threat) and it was good to see them playing the ball to feet from goal kicks, maybe a lesson for us to think about? The game continued to ebb and flow and both sides made good moves which should have resulted in goals. Fletching replaced Carter with Newman and moments later Keoshgerian made his long awaited return when Smith pulled his groin (not the first time!) and had to be carried off the pitch. The younger Barbe dropped into left back and older brother Steve filled in (literally) central defence as the Archers looked fresher with two new wingers to attack the home side.

The goal was not long in coming…Hartup played through a delightful pass from deep in Fletching territory and Benton was on it like a greyhound out of its traps ready to pounce on a hapless bunny. The keeper was committed and a clean finish saw Benton’s shot hit the net on the far side of the goal to send Fletching into a deserved lead.

With twenty to go it was important to keep the momentum going and to be fair a decent lay off from Burchett should have ended with Sol putting a better shot on goal but the resulting love-kick ended gently in the keeper’s possession. Still, it’s good to be back! Clark replaced Benton who received one too many knocks on his ankles. Clark soon settled well and made one great goal saving tackle (which none of us remember but he assured me it happened and I promised to mention- thanks for the Marlboro Lights!!)

A poorly judged decision for a corner gave the home side a sniff and the resulting kick ended with the forward out jumping everyone including Bradders to nod in from four yards. 1-1 and only eight minutes to play could have resulted in heads being dropped but thankfully the famous Fletching spirit saw us rally for one last hurrah and an exquisite cross field ball by Lieutenant Leeves saw the ball curl beyond the last man and into the path of Burchett whose first touch one felt ended him slightly too far off course. The diving keeper managed to get a strong parry as the ball ricocheted off his large frame and looped over him heading agonisingly close to missing the goal. Somehow as if the Archangel Gabriel had decided this was to be our day the ball crept into the low far corner and after those momentary pauses when the goal was an age to be confirmed a jubilant Fletching embraced each other as if the cup final had just been won! Once the final whistle blew and the three points were bagged one felt this was an enormous step towards our resurgence.

Credit must go to the home side for providing game opposition and lovely football played on the deck. A draw would not have been unfair but no one would begrudge us a much-needed victory.

Unfortunately the ecstasy of winning was soon spoiled by the agony of some of the boys realising that the away changing rooms had been ransacked and they had been victims of some b*****d who thought nothing of stealing a wedding ring and expensive watch given as a wedding present as well as a good amount of cash from the other lads. The home side were very sympathetic unlike our police force, unwilling to attend, as the forms they have to fill would spoil their easy night pulling over motorists intent on doing 35mph in a 30 zone. Don’t get me started! Our sincere apologies to those who got robbed. I don’t know what the insurance rules are but we will look into it and do our best for you.

It seems harsh to celebrate after this but it remains for me to say that anyone who thinks there is no spirit at this club is talking b******s and should shut up!

Team: Bradley, S.Barbe, Dickens, Smith (Keoshgerian), Jefford, Carter (Newman), Leeves, Hartup, M.Barbe, Burchett, Benton (Clark). Subs not used: Brady, Harris.