Fletching were at home again for the third week running against fellow Division Seven opponents Felbridge II, in a Parsons Challenge Cup second round tie, as they looked to continue an impressive unbeaten run in all competitions this season. However Clark was missing the nucleus of his successful side with Aygate and Bradford both injured, the experienced Head, Dickens and Leeves all unavailable, and the attacking options of Dowding and Scott called up to the front side along with Sam Fletcher.

Returning to the line up after a spell with The Firsts were striker Toby Powell and Greg Dann who went straight into defence alongside his returning brother Mark. Chairman Sol Keoshgerian made a rare appearance and Fingerneissl started in goal after coming back from holiday.

The kick-off was delayed by ten minutes, not due to crowd congestion, but the fact that the assigned referee failed to show up. Manager Richard Clark, who is a qualified official, took charge of the game, but with assistant manager Pat ‘Minty’ Phillips still enjoying his stint between the sticks with The First Team, it was left to ‘Minty Junior’ to not only run the line, but aid the gaffer in his tactical decisions.

The game started brightly for both sides but it was Felbridge dominating the early proceedings, though they did nothing to really trouble teenager Jack Fingerneissl in the hosts goal as an unfamiliar back line dug in well to deny the visitors any clear chances. Still relatively early on and The Archers won a free kick just into the opposition half. Smart thinking by Mark Dann saw him play a quick ball into the feet of Sol ‘Wee Man’ Keoshgerian, who in turn fed Powell’s run down the line. He looked up to find Burchett lurking, squaring his pass into the stalwart’s path and allowing him to slot home from all of 10 yards.

The visitors hit straight back at The Tangerine Machine with immediate effect, and in fine style. A needless free kick conceded in a threatening area by Greg Dann, was duly despatched into the bottom left of The Archers goal, leaving Fingerneissl with no chance. This equaliser lifted the spirits of the home team and resurgently they hit back, with Powell and new signing Burnett squandering gilt edge opportunities, both firing their efforts down the keeper’s throat.

A see-saw remainder of the first period saw the home side relentless in their closing down of space and of ball. The pace of Newman and Keoshgerian was clearly inspiring the midfield, the pressure finally paying off when a long ball from Keoshgerian into the corner of the last third was ruthlessly hunted down by Powell. A mix up between ‘Bridges keeper and defender allowed the hit man to snatch in past the shot stopper at his near post for what was his ninth goal of the season in all competitions. Clark’s side went into the break with a one goal advantage, but still clearly it was evident that they would have it all to do in the second period.

Fletching came out of the half time interval in an ascendant mood, confident that they could find a third goal to kill the game off. It is this kind of mental approach that has helped steer them to a challenging spot within Division Seven this term, but the East Grinstead based outfit had other ideas and showed remarkable character. They took the game to Fletching and dominated for most of the half. Going down the hill Bridges were roasting the centre back pairing of the Dann brothers and only some last ditch defending by all of the back line helped to sustain their advantage.

Then half way in came the critical turning point. The Felbridge winger broke through clean on goal to calmly fire past a despairing Jack Fingerneissl, however play was brought back after a late off-side call from Minty Junior who was having a dazzling display with the flag and had taken time to assess the situation before making his decision. This of course aggrieved the visitors greatly and did nothing but spur the away side on as they came charging at Fletching with every opportunity. Finally one of these openings were converted into an equaliser - a cross in from the left was taken on the chest by the towering number nine who turned and struck it well with the outside of the boot into the left of the goal.

With only ten minutes remaining Fletching came right back into the tie, committing men forward as they looked to progress during normal time. They were left short at the back as they showed some good attacking play down, but neither side could create anything further and it ended 2-2 as the game went into extra time – something that tired Archers were not mentally (and physically) prepared for.

The additional half hour seemed to last and age for both sides and a stretched Tangerine Army were looking sluggish and desperate at the back and in midfield, particular in the second half of thirty. That said the home side held out well and it looked set to be heading for penalties, certainly after an inspiring one-on-one save from sixteen year old Fingerneissl, who denied Bridges number seven when clean through on goal.

However it was to be heartache for the home side and with only four minutes to go Fletching conceded a silly corner which was swung into the box and not properly cleared by handful of orange shirts lurking around it, allowing Felbridge to power home into an empty net. Minutes later as the home side poured virtually everyone forward, the away side broke as the influential number nine simply slotted in his strike partner who in turn finished past a despairing Fingerneissl.

This settled the tie and the end result was 4-2 to the away side, only the first defeat for The Reserves this year. Special mentions today must go to Chris Brady, Pete Burchett (Man of the match), Greg Dann and Matt Newman who played superb today regardless of whoever Clarky gave the man of the match to.

Team: Fingerneissl, Brady, Jefford, Dann G, Dann M, Newman, Cronin, Keoshgerian, Burnett (Carter), Burchett, Powell (Starnes)