Having met local rivals Uckfield twice already this season, going down 2-1 on both occasions, The Recreation Ground hosted its last game of the season as Fletching looked to finish on a high against a strong side who have claimed some notable scalps in the league and cup this season.

Carter stood by his tried and tested 4-5-1 formation, Dowding playing the lone role up front, as First Team goal keeper Pat ‘Minty’ Philips came in for his second match of the afternoon, in place of regular shot stopper Bradley who was taking a well deserved break after smashing his clean sheet record for the season the week before. If the rumours are to believed Duly was playing his last game before retirement, he partnered Mark Dann at the heart of the home sides defence, who sat in for the absent ‘Badger’ Hill. Eastoe failed a late fitness test on his troublesome knee injury which meant Greg Dann at right back and Jefford at left back, allowing a second successive start for Powell on the left wing, alongside the regulars of Head, Dickens, Donnelly and Hartup.

The largest gate of the season were witness to one of the most exciting see-saw games of the 05/06 campaign, as Carter’s side, maybe feeling a bit bloated after the Cream Eggs he dished out before the match, let Uckfield start the better, demonstrating a lot of class and experience up front, as Dann and Duly worked hard to contain them. With the previously light drizzle taking a turn for the worse, and the allure of Wolvey’s barbeque, the majority of the crowd had taken cover in warmth of the pavilion as Fletching, kicking up the infamous slope, began to find their rhythm and establish themselves. The Archers were breaking well from deep before utilising the youthful pace of Powell and Donnelly on the flanks, as Ian ‘Elton’ Dowding starting making his short bursting runs in and around the box, as a real footballing battle began to develop.

The Archers created a couple of half chances early on, the best falling to ‘Sinead’ Powell who met the ball around the penalty spot before apparently being clipped on the ankle and being taken out, the referee however waved the home sides appeals away. Midway through the first half, on twenty-five minutes, Dickens broke the deadlock. After a mesmerising run ‘Y.T.S’ Donnelly was brought down right on the edge of the visitors box. The resultant free kick was driven into the danger area where it was scrambled only half clear by the Town defence, falling to the feet of Fletching veteran Paul ‘Dicko’ Dickens who smashed his half volley past a crowd of players, including the keeper for 1-0.

Less than five minutes later and the scores were even after Town caught The Village boys napping with a smart quickly taken free, moving the ball with ease through a confused Fletching defence, who were still aggrieved the free kick had been awarded, as they found their target man who finished with an assured ease and style. As the rain became heavier and pitch more sodden, the game became a somewhat scrappy affair, as both teams began to lose their shape and discipline, several sliding challenges going unpunished, as both teams vented their frustration towards the experienced official. Powell had another glorious chance just before half time, connecting extremely well first time from a flighted cross, beating the keeper but being denied by the bottom of the post, as Carters side went in level at the break.

Fletching maintained their industrious tempo of the first half as they came out for the second period with a real determination. The midfield trio of Dickens, Head and Hartup continued to boss the centre of the park as Duly calmly covered well behind them in his defensive duties, as The Archers recurrently favoured the wing play of Powell and Donnelly. Fifteen minutes in and Fletching regained the lead after a fine passing spell amongst the midfield, where Dowding beat the Town offside trap to latch onto a threaded ball, before setting himself and curling a powerful shot past the keeper.

Two substitutions in quick succession introduce some much needed exciting, electric pace as young ‘Titch’ Barter came in for Powell whose lack of match fitness was beginning to show, and then shortly later Donnelly was replaced by Pearce, as the rest of the second half remained an end to end affair, Fletching slightly edging it. Pearcy was looking very lively down the right wing, with his powerful runs causing problems for the visitors and it was his determinations that helped put the home side further ahead, when he broke deep into the opponents half before being taken out on the edge of the box after skilfully turning his marker. Barter stepped up to deliver a low skimming drive which was volleyed in by an Uckfield player for what was a spectacular own goal.

The appalling conditions were beginning to take their toll on The Villagers, as a youthful, more energetic Uckfield side began to push. The visitors pulled one back with a top class goal after a seamlessly impossible effort on the edge of the box which saw their striker turn and shoot a long range dipping stunner past a despairing outstretch Philips who could only get finger tips on it. Spirits were up in the Town camp as they sought an equaliser, Dann and Philips combining well at the back with some brilliant last ditch blocks and saves as Carters side struggled to close down Town’s attacking threat.

Fletching had little rest bite, their rare breaks giving them an opportunity to take the sting out of the game, as Uckfield continued to battle, and in the dying minutes they salvaged a deserved point. The Villagers lost possession, as Town began, what would turn out to be their last attack of the match, waltzing directly though the middle well into The Archers half before spraying the ball wide before finding the Town’s best player on the day, Watson, who skipped past the defence before curling his effort round an on-rushing ‘Minty’ Philips’ for 3-3 at the final whistle.

Team: Philips, Duly, M.Dann, Jefford, G.Dann, Donnelly (Pearce 70), Head, Dickens, Powell (Barter 65), Hartup, Dowding