Runaway league leaders and last season’s Division Nine champions Copthorne Rovers II were The Archers opposition on Saturday afternoon. It was always going to be a massive game for young Carter’s side, as ‘Thorne looked to avenge their narrow 2-1 defeat to the village outfit earlier in the season. With the news filtering around the ground that the highly influential and experienced defensive duo of Hill and Smith were unavailable through injury and illness, Carter was forced into changes as Adam Duly and Mark Dann occupied the vacant back line, whilst Greg Dann kept his place at right back after impressing in previous weeks.

The Recreation Ground was at full capacity, swelled by Thorne’s large travelling contingent, made up predominantly of their mothers and fathers who had come to cheer them on, and with tickets as rare as a Toby Powell pass, the black market touts were doing a roaring trade, with several Coppers fans spotted amongst the hardcore home faithful in The Barn End.

Fletching started the half brightly, sticking to a pre-defined game plan against a very young side. The solid Archers midfield worked overtime in conjunction with the back four to allow Thorne no time on the ball, as Adam Duly stuck to the visitors prolific top goal scorer Wright, like a leech. With both sides cancelling out each other’s early exchanges in a heated midfield, the visitors worked a good chance to take the lead with a fine shot only to be equalled by the diving Bradley. Several challenges went in and it was clearly evident that The Thorne, who are used to dominating games, but were being bullied by a well marshalled footballing team, were becoming frustrated at by their lack of openings.

With Benton running riot on his wing thanks to his electric pace and neat control, it was inevitable the young, inexperienced side would loose their discipline as the referee produced the first of what would turn out to be several cards. Minutes later this was followed by another caution, this time for Fletching’s ‘White Faustino Asprilla’ Toby Powell whose typically petulant behaviour earned him a yellow card when he took exception to a crude challenge on him.

The now established midfield trio of Head, Dickens and Hartup continued to work hard closing down the livelier and more energetic Coppers, as they tried with limited to success in finding lone front man Dowding, whom himself was becoming frustrated. To his credit, the veteran never stopped running, chasing down lost causes and making a nuisance of himself with his usual youthful exuberance, which eventually earned him a yellow card after diving in for a ball. Fletching continued to adhere to Carter’s tactics, meticulously breaking down ‘Thornes attacks and demonstrating resolute defending, Greg Dann in particular shining after finding a new lease of life at the heart of the defence as the Archers went into the break in buoyant mood at 0-0.

Expectations were high amongst the home fans with their side having the advantage of slope and a brisk wind for the second period. The referee produced another yellow card for the visitors before an explosive breakthrough on 56 minutes that gave Fletching a deserved lead. Dowding started one of his trademark chases, latching on to the through ball before cutting back from the by line to the far post where Powell was lurking. The young striker calmly struck a thunderous, textbook volley leaving the keeper with no chance, almost ripping through the roof of the net, for what is surely a contender for goal of the season. This was to be his last significant contribution of the game, as minutes later he hobbled off with a groin strain, Eastoe his replacement. The former Wealden man looked pumped up as he got up the speed of play quickly, suring things up in the middle as Carter opted to try and defend a slender lead.

With the referee’s watch slowly counting down, The Coppers became increasing desperate as they chased the game. For two sides that are renowned for their ‘Total Football’, the rest of the half turned into a scrappy affair, with challenges, language and arguments progressively getting worse, mainly through frustration. This boiled over on the 70-minute mark, when the Thorn side and management team took exception to a particularly hard, but all the same fair challenge from Mark Dann, resulting in a red card for the remonstrating midfielder, who hurled his obscenities towards the referee.

The visitors adjusted well to their numerical disadvantage during the closing stages, as they continued to push forward. The Archers however sat it out well, getting men back behind the ball, with man of the match Paul Dickens working up and down the middle exceptionally well. Copthorne did have chances to equalise, a deflected shot that could have gone anyway, ended up safely in the hands of Bradley, whilst a couple of testing shots forced Fletching’s long serving keeper into some fine blocks. The home side held on though to record a fine double over the champions elect, in what was a true team effort.

Team: Bradley, G.Dann, M.Dann, Jefford, Duly, Hartup, Benton, Head, Dickens, Dowding, Powell; Subs: Eastoe, Carter