The Archers continued their good run of form, making it four wins from their last six games, as they put in one of their best defensive displays of the season across the border at the Colin Anderson Playing Field. William’s was able to field the core of the side that had picked up all three points against East Court, as Phillips and Newman dropped down to The Reserves, meaning Fingerneissl and Donnelly both made the squad. Harper and Marcus Barbe were the other absentees, but Leeves made a much anticipated return to first team action.

In a scrappy, stop-start game which was frequently interrupted by the referees whistle, it was the visitors who dominated the first half. They started much the brighter and found the left side the best outlet with Michael Duff who was strolling past his man to get in behind the Rockets defence on a number of occasions, as the hosts failed to adapt. Barter on the opposite wing was also causing problems, as the midfield linked up well from deep, with the tricky Egleton and brute force of the veteran Ian Dowding, holding things up top.

Fletching took a deserved lead with a little over ten minutes on the clock. Barter received the ball out wide, and did well to drive past his man, as he cut into the box near the by line. He drilled his low effort towards the near post where it squirmed past the keeper for one nil. Dowding doubled the advantage mid way through, again from a probing right position, a wicked cross came in where it was bundled home, as the keeper flapped. Egleton nearly furthered the lead shortly after, when a neat little turn created room for a wicked shot, which he struck from all of thirty-five yards. It beat the hosts shot stopper all ends up, but smashed the underside of the cross bar and promptly hacked away.

By this time the Surrey based side had began to find their gears – the two sprightly midfielders showing boundless energy across the park to work the ball well. Dormansland looked most threatening from set pieces as they sent a big physical presence into the danger area, and it was from here that they created the best chance – a bullet header which whistled over the bar. Rockets came back into the game with a goal that was typical of the encounter. A fierce shot somehow found its way through a packed penalty area, where youngster Jack Fingerneissl made a fine reaction save, but Leeves could do nothing on the goal line, as it pinged off him straight to their skipper, who prodded home.

In contrast to the first period it was The Rockets who controlled proceedings, taking the game to Fletching, seemingly pouring men forward in midfield with intent. In truth they should probably have got back in the fixture, but were matched by a defence that were playing beyond themselves. On countless occasions they flung bodies in the way, as Dormansland had numerous scrambled efforts in and around the area blocked. Fingerneissl pulled off some remarkable saves that had to be witnessed to be believed, whilst Holford did enough to prevent what looked like a certain goal, as he forced the host’s big captain to blaze over from five yards out when presented with an open goal. Dickens and Cork were working like a well oiled machine, and again took no prisoners when closing down, whilst Agate was at his best to stifle things down the left.

But for all the pressure the home side created it was The Archers who scored a third early on in the half with some old fashioned route one football. A long ball from deep picked out Dowding who ran on to nod past an advancing keeper from an acute angle. The Villagers seemed content with this as they sat off to soak up pressure for much of the remainder of yet another disjointed half, but further chances went begging at either end. A somewhat isolated Egleton and Dowding both found themselves in good shooting positions, and Funnell headed just over from a corner, whilst the hosts were unlucky to see an effort rebound off the post, as they could not find a way through The Villagers water tight back line.

With the game seemingly won, Sam Starnes, having impressed in training, came on to astound everyone as he pulled off a lovely little back flick to waltz past his man, before being crudely brought down, in what has surely got to be the highlight in the youngsters fledgling career so far, as Fletching ran out 3-1 winners.

Team: Fingerneissl, Holford, Cork, Dickens, Agate, Barter, Funnell, Leeves (Donnelly), Duff, Dowding, Egleton (Starnes). Sub Not Used: Williams