New Years Eve and no respite in the Mid Sussex League as The Recreation Ground welcomed another team who, like The Archers, are on a fine run of form. Felbridge’s second string are sitting pretty in second spot, as they looked to close the gap on league leaders Copthorne Rovers, and were rightly full of optimism having comprehensively beaten Carter’s side 4-0 in the reverse fixture. Admittedly this was earlier in the season when Fletching had an unsettled side, contributing to a poor run of inconsistent results. However with the winning spirit and team belief this diverse side has developed over recent weeks, they know they can more than match even the best that Division Eight has to offer.

Bolstered by a fixtureless First Team who helped contribute to the third largest gate of the season, The Archers lined up in a familiar 4-5-1 formation against a big, physical and experienced Bridge side, made up of seasoned veterans. Consistency has certainly helped contribute to The Archers fantastic run, with the team remaining relatively unchanged from week to week, as they continue to gel and develop a good understanding. Bradley was on a transatlantic scouting mission in America, with third choice shot stopper Mark ‘Porn Baron’ Dann deputising, whilst First Team captain and birthday boy Darren Wolvey, pleaded with Carter for a place on the bench. However the biggest cheer of the day, in what was a real coup by Carter, was the surprise return of Fletching veteran and all round legend, ‘Champagne’ Sol Keoshgerian. The forgotten man of Fletching has been overlooked this season, doing the unthinkable and considering retirement from the game. Carter has done a splendid job coaxing the attacking midfielder/striker into The Reserve Team squad where he will undoubtedly add a totally new dimension to their game, as well as his vast senior experience, which will rub off on the youngsters in the team. With a new lease of life and a determined glint in his eye, he started up front as the lone man.

The home side started brightly matching Bridge like for like in what was a very physical forty-five. With chances few and far between for both sides, Fletching did extremely well to press the visitors back, Keoshgerian proving a sensation, rolling back the years and leading from the front with his terrier-like running and tackling. At the other end the Archers defence of Eastoe, Hill, Smith and Jefford stood solid, doing well to stifle any Bridge attack and limiting them to only a few half chances, with the opposition looking most dangerous from dead ball situations what with their obvious height and power advantage. The home side themselves created good movement in and around Bridges final third. The midfield of Hartup, Head and Dickens providing Keoshgerian with ammunition, the front man persistently making intelligent runs as he looked to hold it up for the two young wide players, Dan ‘Dogger’ Benton going closest with a pounding shot which almost snapped the woodwork. The tentative tactical moves continued, with neither side managing to find a breakthrough as they went in nil-nil at the break.

Fletching came out after half time and continued the relentless closing of space, pressing for an advantage as they looked for Felbridge to make the first mistakes. The non-stop hustle of Keoshgerian beginning to cause problems at the back, as the big Bridge defenders failed to shake him off, wee-man often beating them all in the air as The Archers uncharacteristically began to start banging it long when in possession. With half an hour still remaining and confident of gaining points from the game, Carter saw fit to introduce influential midfielder Wolvey, replacing skipper Hartup who had grafted industriously all game. The big man made an instant impression, injecting some much needed fresh legs to the centre of the park as he began to pull the strings, showing creativity as the home side settled down around him to play their natural passing game.

The Villagers looked to be up against it when fifteen minutes later stand in captain Smith limped off with a groin stain, which allowed the versatile Wolvey to drop into the back four with Clark coming on in the midfield. This evidently raised Fletching who enjoyed the better possession during the last ten minutes. With time running out substitute Wolvey had a glorious chance to put past the keeper. A delightful corner fired in from the right hand side by Benton was met by a bullet header from the big man as Bridge’s goalie made a fabulous finger tip save. What followed was an action replay of the previous incident, as Benton once again flighted the resultant corner towards Wolvey, who this time made sure of it with a towering header, under pressure and in a crowded box, which ended up in the back of the net. The visitors came on strong in the remaining minutes, pushing forward as they looked to edge a goal back, but the experienced back four held firm to give The Archers a well fought three points, against what are genuine promotion contenders.

Team: M.Dann, Jefford, Eastoe, Hill, Smith, Hartup, Benton, Head, Dickens, Keoshgerian, Powell; Subs: G.Dann, Clark, Wolvey, Donnelly