On a cold day, with a slight breeze in the air, The Archers second string travelled the short distance to Framfield Recreation Ground, whey they faced arch rivals Wealden for the second league meeting of the season, having previously beaten them 3-1 at home. Carters side were looking to bounce back from last weeks heart breaking defeat against near neighbours Chailey and were in buoyant mood at their pre-match meal, the hosts being rooted to the bottom of the league.

With a plethora of quality personnel to pick from, Carter opted for two out-and-out strikers in an attack minded 4-4-2 formation as the skill and vision of ex-Wealden man ‘Champagne’ Sol Keoshgerian was complimented by the pace and power of Ian ‘Elton’ Dowding. In what was a very strong and experienced back line, Duly came in at centre back and Jefford, having missed last week, in at a familiar left back position. A stern word from the management team, put the team tactics fully on attacking presence, looking to the youthful pace of ‘Y.T.S’ Donnelly and ‘Dogger’ Benton on the left and right wings respectively, as the Archers kicked off down the hill on a testing pitch.

From the outset Fletching were completely dominant, the hosts looking sluggish and second best to the ball, as The Archers enjoyed a self-assured passing game in their opponents third. Hartup and Head, without regular midfield partner Dickens, adapted well to a changed formation, the skipper pulling all the strings and looking and playing more and more each week like a fat Jan Molby whilst Neil was strong as ever in the tackle, showing great passing vision and glimpses of his trademark runs. As a result ‘Badger’ Hill and Adam ‘Jimmy Somerville’ Duly rarely broke sweat, remaining alert when called upon thanks to the communication of Bradley in goal.

Wealden stood firm though, as The Archers failed to find that all-important first goal, despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession in and around the danger area. Keoshgerian was having an inspired game against his former employers, holding the ball up well for the on rushing Dowding, Donnelly and Benton, whose pace was really troubling the hosts defence. On a number of occasions Benton got in behind the back line to deliver some teasing crosses which only just eluded an energetic Dowding. Greg Dann also produced some of his legendary mazy runs from a deep defensive position, taking it past a number of players and busting into the box only to then be denied.

The breakthrough came on the half hour mark after good work from Benton. A threaded ball down the right hand side was chased down by the diminutive pace man, who cut in a low cross from the by-line where it was met by a lunging Keoshgerian who connected from all of four yards. It capped a fine first half display for the former Armenian U-15 international, who was a doubt before today’s game after injuring his back when he tripped on his cat and fell down the stairs just hours before kick off. With the Archers now in possession of that all important goal and still firmly in control, Carter shuffled things around, pushing Dann into midfield and Benton on up front in a 3-4-3 formation, where their fluid passing game continued, but could not conjure any further advantage as they went into the break.

With the visitors now having to defend the slope, the management team reverted back to a standard 4-4-2, Donnelly switching wings to the right, Dowding dropping back to the left, whilst Benton remained alongside Keoshgerian. The Villagers continued where they left off in the first half, totally dominant and putting the hosts under pressure from the whistle, once again creating chances but failing to capitalise on them. Fletching were made to pay for their incompetence in front goal when on sixty minutes Wealden equalised. A rare break from the opposition saw their substitute tear down the right before crossing a hard, hopeful ball into the danger area, connecting with Hill on the arm from point blank range as the referee award a penalty. The big centre back, Wealden’s best player on the day, stepped up to calmly place it in the bottom left hand corner, leaving Bradley rooted and Fletching stunned.

The Archers responded in the best way possible, when ‘The Sol Man’ got on the end of cross, expertly controlling it before slotting home. As he wheeled away to celebrate what would have been his second of the day, a stunned Keoshgerian saw the referee had awarded Wealden a free kick for controlling the ball with his hand, The Archers veteran, still struggling with his back, was replaced moments later when Stevens came on. The fresh legs seemed to bring another gear to Carter’s side, as Stevens rushed down on loose balls and added a new physical presence. Donnelly was enjoying a more profitable second period, seeing lots of the ball as he linked well and showed a good understanding with fellow youngster Benton, producing some great crosses and fine through balls, whilst Dowding found space on the opposite flank to cut in before firing wide.

Fletching were unfortunate to have yet another goal disallowed, this time Benton forced the ball home, only to have been adjudged offside. With time running out Dann, who had put in another worthy performance was replace by another ex-Wealden player, Dave Eastoe, as he helped out at the back with Duly and Hill, all of whom began to push forward as the visitors looked for a winner. This eventually came from the wing back Jefford, who gathered a loose ball deep in ‘Den’s half, before running on and shooting firmly past the hosts goalkeeper.

Before the re-start and with less than ten minutes remaining Carter saw fit to give himself a rare run out up front. Benton made way for the player/manager as he partnered Stevens, linking particularly well with Head and Hartup. With ‘Den looking extremely tired, Fletching sustained wave after wave of attack and should have furthered their lead after Carter slipped Dowding in on the halfway line. The big man failed to convert though, blasting his shot wide. The hosts looked to salvage something with a couple of pressurising last minutes corners, but the experienced Archers defence stood firm to safely claim a hard fought three points.

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