The Archers Reserve Team welcomed Ditchling to The Recreation Ground, as they looked to continue their push for a promotion spot in what is still an extremely tight Division Eight league. Two changes were evident from the week before in what was an impressive 4-5-1 starting line up, as influential defender Gary Smith had recovered from a groin injury to slot in at the back for Mark Dann who was called up to The First Team, whilst young Luke Donnelly came in for the unavailable Dan ‘Dogger’ Benton. Carter’s men were undoubtedly brimming with confidence after completing a league double over free scoring, league leaders Copthorne II the previous week and this showed as they tore into the visitors from the very start.

The Archers clearly looked the better side, giving Ditchling no time to settle and were first to everything, as they started to spray the ball around smartly, continually looking for the killer pass to lone front man Dowding, whose powerful driven runs were starting to test Village’s defence. With the energy release from his now traditional pasta lunch starting to kick in, it wasn’t long before the goal hungry, big man opened his account, continuing his fine run of form for The Twos. After receiving the ball in space he went on beat his man, before calmly slotting home past the visitors keeper.

In what was a crowded centre of the park, which saw most of the action, the Archers midfield of Head, Hartup and Dickens worked industrially to keep Ditch at bay, the former two winning everything in the air, whilst the latter was given his free roaming role to pull the strings, bringing the youthful pace of Donnelly into the game as he found space to push on the right flank. The three combined well for Dowding’s second of the game after another clinical finish and an even more over-the-top goal celebration. The back four of Smith, Duly and Jefford were rarely troubled in a one sided first half, Dann and Jefford in particularly never putting a foot wrong and showing commitment in the challenge as the big back two marshalled the team around them. Powell was for once finding his passing boots and with great success on the left, switching the play with some exemplary cross-field balls that could easily have graced la liga. The visitors went on to create a couple of half chances, with Bradley remaining aware in goal, before Dowding went on to complete a first half hatrick just before the break.

A gradually swelling crowd on the terraces of The Barn End went on to witness a much more evenly contested, yet none the less entertaining second half. The visitors, with nothing to lose and seemingly out of the game decided to give it a go and enjoyed the lions share of passing during the early exchanges, as Ditch started to work The Archers midfield. Duly and Smith also showing their worth with the opposition starting to find holes through the centre. With Ditchling playing the better football and looking more than comfortable on the ball, it was a surprise for the home fans when Dowding made the game more than safe, tucking away Fletching’s fourth, and his fourth of game.

On the hour Carter took the opportunity introduce a bit of experience with a double substitution. Powell and Donnelly were the obvious choices after tirelessly working up and down the wings, making way for the terrier like, ankle biting poisoned dwarf ‘Champagne’ Sol Keoshgerian and ‘Dirty’ Dave Eastoe. Two quick goals were to follow shortly, as Smith broke from his defensive position against the run of play to place a lovely ball past a stranded keeper. This was almost immediately proceeded by Dowding rounding off his tally, making it a personal milestone of five in what was clearly a man of the match winning performance.

With twenty-five minutes still remaining new signing Stevens came on for the injured Dickens, slotting effortlessly into the midfield in a like for like substitution. The home side, six goals to the good, started to take their foot off the pedal allowing The Village to maintain the majority of second half possession and they were almost rewarded on the eighty minute mark. A crude tackle from Keoshgerian on the edge of box resulted in a free kick from a dangerous position. The ball was beautifully bent around The Archers wall forcing the previously redundant Bradley into a spectacular last ditch save. Fletching found time for one more in the closing stages, as right back Greg ‘Squealer’ Dann weaved his way past three players to rifle his shot into the bottom left, sealing an emphatic Fletching win, as The Archers second string continue their ascent on the Division Eight summit.

Team: Bradley, Jefford, Duly, Smith, Dann.G, Powell (Eastoe 61), Head, Hartup, Dickens (Stevens 67), Donnelly (Keoshgerian 61), Dowding