With summer deciding to finally put in a sizzling appearance Fletching travelled to the Surrey boarder to face new opposition in the form of AFC Grinstead for their first league game of the 2007/08 season. Instated straight into Division Three this season, it was with anticipation and uncertainty, but with great optimism after an encouraging and intensive pre-season schedule that The Archers arrived at the Lingfield ground where they had played the previous year against Mariners. As it turned out it was to be the East Grinstead Mariners The Villagers were facing, virtually all of their First Team having broken away and formed their own club.

With the exception of Leeves, new manager Rhys Williams, in charge of his first competitive game, had the pick of his strongest squad. As in pre-season and whilst the goalkeeping crisis is sorted out, Mark Dann was between the sticks. ‘Fun Time’ Frankie Egleton, in line to make his competitive debut for the mighty Archers was running late, as the visitors started with ten men, waiting for the former Uckfield and Maresfield player. An early shuffle saw Cork enter the field of play making the numbers up, alongside Funnell, Barbe and Duff, who was playing an unfamiliar centre back role. Holford pushed up in the five man midfield of Donnelly, Wolvey, Barter and Dowding, as Burchett faced the daunting task of lone striker.

AFC started out with an effective combination of a big physical presence combined with the swiftness and balance of his pocket-sized strike partner and utilised this to their advantage throughout. For much of the game a large and brutish home side bullied their opponents with a damaging long ball, pumping it from deep and The Archers simply failed to adapt to it. Time and time again they were caught out by this, and had the worst possible start imaginable, conceding two sloppy goals in the opening seven minutes. The defence showing far too much respect, allowing the AFC strikers time to turn and freedom to roam at will.

The Villagers were trying to desperately compete, but in truth they came up against a side that simply had more desire to win the ball. Burchett was isolated on his own, despite glimpses of football from the visitors, they also opted to play it long, which was never going to work against Grinstead’s robust and commanding centre backs who won everything in the air with ease. Fletching looked dangerous when it was played on the deck, Burchett and support from Dowding carving good chances to get a goal back. An intelligent corner from Barter was drilled in low to the near post where Funnell failed to connect; it pinged around in box until it was eventually scrambled away.

At the other end Grinstead had numerous further chances to convert which they wasted, before scoring a third midway through. Another long ball caught the defence napping as Dann came out and was adjudged to have taken the man, as he nipped passed him. The spot kick was duly despatched as the visitors failed to create anything further of note, going in at the break unsettled, fully deflated and 3-0 down.

Egleton was introduced at the start of the second period, as Williams looked to calm things down in the middle areas of the park. The Villagers showed greater spirit and resolve in a far more evenly contested forty-five. But with such a lead the Lingfield based outfit clearly appeared to have the game won as they serenely and classily retained possession, passing it in all areas of the park, stretching a somewhat tired looking Fletching.

That said with Burchett and the youthful, dynamic pace of Donnelly and Barter Fletching never gave up and were really unlucky not to get something out of their tireless running. The hosts continued to win everything at the back, clearing up the odd mistake with confidence, looking ever-dangerous on the break, with a crafty and skilful midfielder at the heart of everything. AFC gained a fourth mid way in; their best goal by far which Fletching had no answer to and left Cork and Funnell chasing shadows after an explosive one-two and applied finish.

With only ten minutes remaining, the last throw of the dice was to bring on Village veteran ‘Champagne’ Sol Keoshgerian in place of Burchett, ‘Wee Man’ making the ideal target man in a much welcomed return to First Team action. It was late on that the Armenian earned his side a consolation after intellectual work in the box saw him bundled to the ground whilst shielding the ball. With newly designated PK taker Barter carrying a bad knock to his foot, it was left to Frank Egleton. He coolly and accomplishedly stroked the ball into the far left of the net sending the keeper the wrong way. It was to be the last action game as only minutes after the restart the official brought the game to a conclusion in what was a bitterly disappointing opening day for The Archers.

Team: Dann, Holford, Funnell, Duff, Barbe, Cork, Wolvey, Dowding (Egleton), Barter, Donnelly, Burchett (Keoshgerian)

Referee’s Man of the Match: Steve Barbe