Fletching travelled the short distance to Chailey to face their bogey side, and last years Division Nine champions, having been soundly beaten at The Recreation Ground earlier in the season. Carter stuck to his winning 4-5-1 formation, Eastoe coming in at left back for Jefford, the pocket-size full back missing his first game of the season. The talismanic Gary Smith was still having problems with his troublesome groin, which meant versatile big guy Greg Dann moved to centre back alongside Hill, whilst returning student ‘Titch’ Barter slotted in the now vacant right back position.

On a clear sunny day, but with a venomous chill cutting across the open and expansive Chailey common pitch, The Archers looked uncharacteristically nervous as they went through their warm up drills. This was immediately evident from the kick off, The Villagers looking tentative when in possession as the hosts started much the stronger with the wind also in their favour. On more than one occasion the back four found themselves pushed back from some towering goal kicks as Chailey roamed forward looking to disturb Carters side, forcing them to make the first mistake. The visitors took a while to adapt to a bumpy surface, frequently relinquishing possession as they bypassed their inventive midfield, pinging long balls against the wind in the vain hope of picking out lone front man Dowding. Chailey were playing a far more effective long ball game, creating a couple of good opportunities to take the lead after getting in behind The Archers defence. Dickens was having an inspired game, the former striker relishing his now customary midfield role, as he tirelessly dropped deep to link up with Hill and Dann. The host’s young front two looked lively all game and were unlucky not to give their side the lead midway through the first half. A classy shot had Bradley beaten all ends, before smashing against the posts into the welcoming arms The Villagers shot stopper.

Slowly but surely Carters side began to find their feet and come into the game, as they started to press a well drilled Chailey midfield, their first decent chance causing contention after it looked like Dowding controlled the ball with his hand before driving past several players and delivering a pinpoint cross for new boy Stevens who found the underside of the crossbar with his header. With the help of his assistant, the referee had adjudged the ball had not crossed the line and Chailey were free to clear their lines. Fletching continued to come on strong in the latter part of the half, breaking from deep and bringing the wide men of Noel Stevens and Luke ‘YTS’ Donnelly to prominence, the latter linking well with pacey full back Barter, who overlapped the midfielder to fire a shot into the side netting. However, the breakthrough came from the unlikeliest of sources. After Dowding had skilfully turned his man on the halfway line, he measured a delightful through ball for Head who beat the offside trap before bearing down on goal, settling himself and calmly slotting past the Chailey keeper, for what was a neat finish.

The Villagers went in at half time the happier, knowing their usually assured passing game was lacking and that they had certainly ridden their luck for much of the first forty-five. If they were to take anything from this game a second goal was needed, Carter emphasising the need to push on in his pep talk, having received the morale boosting news that the Chailey playmaker was deputising in goal for the keeper who was unable to shake off a knock he received late in the first half. Both teams picked up where they had left off before the break, but Carter was forced into changes early on. Neil Head, who had a very good first half picked up an ankle injury, limping off to be replaced by ‘Dogger’ Benton. Due to work commitments this was the youngster’s first game since Januarys win against Copthorne, as Fletching reverted a more conventional 4-4-2 formation, Benton partnering Dowding up front. He almost made an instant impression on the game, hitting the post after a thunderous strike.

Still only ten minutes in and Dowding was running on empty after covering nearly every blade of grass. He was replaced by playmaker and potential game winner ‘Champagne’ Sol Keoshgerian, who always brings air of reassurance to those around him. His fresh legs looked dangerous as he played some smart one touch football with Stevens before having the chance to lob the keeper, only to hit it tamely straight at him. In what was a reversal of the first half, the home side struggled against the strong wind, but still found time to create some good half chances, as Fletching by and large remained in control. Captain ‘Berries’ Hartup whipped a twenty-five yard effort in which curled just wide of the post and moments later Dickens burst through one on one with the keeper only to blaze it over the bar. A much younger Chailey side started to find the gaps against an aged Fletching team who were carrying some tired legs, particularly across the middle.

A little over ten minutes remaining and Powell came on to the right wing for a switch involving Donnelly who had a calf strain. With play resumed Chailey found space down the middle to exploit before playing in their unchallenged striker to fire home for a deserved goal. To their credit both teams battled on for a winner, Carter urging his side forward, with the hosts breaking well on the counter attack. With the clock counting down it was still anybody’s game, Fletching having to dig in, at times looking tired and static though, before a real sucker punch. After a promising attack broke down in the Chailey half, a long punt up field found their big forward who did well to flick a header on first time over a helpless Bradley. Now chasing the game The Villagers pushed on once again, but seemed resigned to defeat, which was confirmed only minutes later when the referee blew the final whistle.

This was a real dent in Fletching’s promotion aspirations. A point would probably have been a fair reflection on the game, having started very slowly and taken the lead against the run of play, but Chailey showed great resolve to come back into it, edging it with their younger, fitter squad and more clinical finishing.

Team: Bradley, Eastoe, Hill, G.Dann, Barter, Donnelly (Powell), Dickens, Head (Benton), Hartup, Stevens, Dowding (Keoshgerian)