Heavy mid-week snow put this fixture in jeopardy, but a couple of cold, but fine dry days rescued the pitch as The Reserves made their first outing for over month to the north of the county for a Division Seven league encounter with Rockets second string, whom they lost to in the cup back in November. Carter was bolstered by the return of three Fletching legends; Mark ‘The Badger’ Hill came straight in at right back after a two month lay off, rib damaged ‘Champagne’ Sol Keoshgerain looked to use his experience on the left wing, and Dowding (stomach strain) went up front alongside Newman.

However, Carters positive was shot to flames within the opening five minutes of the game. From the host’s first attack which came from a corner, Bradley leapt well to gather safely but fell awkwardly on his knee, staying down for several minutes as he received treatment before being stretchered off to watch the remainder of the game from the sidelines. With no back up keeper on the bench it was left Greg Dann to don the number one shirt and take his place between the sticks. This meant a defensive re-shuffle which saw Brady come on at left back, allowing ‘Big’ Dave Eastoe to move inside along Dickens in the centre.

The Archers actually settled well to enforced circumstances and battled hard for the remaining forty minutes of the first period. ‘The Sultan of Skill’ Mike Cronin was enjoying a run out, as he looked to get his fitness back for First Team duty. He was the perfect foil for his midfield partner, the more agricultural Hartup, who together with Keoshgerian and Clark were looking to exert a dominance in the packed middle of the park, as the home side failed to really trouble the makeshift shot stopper. In fact the big lad didn’t look out of place at all, commanding his area confidently, with a vocal support, making a couple of fine saves, one in particular that kept his Village team in the match after a finger tip save pushed the ball round the post. He was offered good cover on the left in the form of Brady who continues to impress during his inaugural season with the Archers, on his natural left footed side.

Further up the field Fletching crowd pleasing veteran ‘Sol Man’ Keoshgerian was producing some of his ‘old skool’ terrier-like runs off the ball down the right hand channel, on the opposite flank Clark was tidying up well to snub out any threat, the half remained much like a tactical game of chess. Dowding should probably have done better with his effort midway through the first half, whilst the non-stop athletic running of Newman caused problems for ‘Lands as he took up good position, but lacked the final finish as the sides went in at the break goalless.

The hosts made some notable changes at half time, brining on one of their front side players, hungry for the win. Not long in and the changed worked wonders, when their new target man out wide capitalised on a defensive slip up. He took the ball on and his cross-come-shot-come-pass right across the face of goal crept past a hapless Dann, with two Dormansland strikers following up into an open goal.

Much to their credit Carter’s men did not let their heads drop and continued to dig in despite this sucker punch. Dickens and Mark Hill were rolling back the years to turn in another fine performance with some quality timed challenges and tidying up of scraps that ‘Lands striker was trying to feed on.

The industrious Dowding was replaced midway through the half as Carter brought himself on to the right, pushing Keoshgerian up front alongside Newman. The visitors created little against a stubborn Rockets side, but continued to push for an equaliser. Hartup saw another one of his efforts whistle just over the bar from long range, whilst Keoshgerian and Newman created a couple of half chances out of nothing.

The Surrey-based side made sure of the game thanks to a stunning strike with around fifteen minutes remaining. A superb solo effort from well over twenty yards out rocketed into the top corner of The Archers goal. Some late rallying from The Villagers saw them try desperately for a consolation with Carter and ‘Wee Man’ working things well down the right, but the visitors ran out of gas. It could have been more at the other end as Dann made two great stops when the striker was through on goal, keeping some respectability to the two-nil score line as the final whistle went.

Team: Bradley (Brady), Hill, Eastoe, Dickens, G.Dann, Hartup, Clark, Cronin, Dowding (Carter), Newman, Keoshgerian