With a first win under the belt in the Somerville Cup, it was back to business with a tough away game to Old Varndeanians in the league. The Villagers knew they were in for a tough game if last seasons results against the Brighton based team were anything to go by, drawing both home & away with them, 1-1 and 4-4 respectively in very close encounters. The Archers regulars knew their boys had to put in a good performance.

With goalkeeping rock Minty Philips absent, as well as Davidson & Roberts missing from the squad, young Dan ‘The Dogger’ Benton partnered Burchett up front, with Holford moving up to the dizzy heights of right midfield, whilst Duly, returning from injury, slipped in at right back. Mark Dann was also back to occupy the sticks.

Fletching started at a frantic pace looking to get at the hosts, and almost found the breakthrough as the pace of Benton started to worry the opposing defense. Despite this, the Archers found themselves a goal behind as a long-range effort from the Varndeanians midfielder rebounded off Mark Dann and was swept home. Fletching responded well and hit back before the break, first with a powerfully struck free-kick from Burchett followed by a Romario-esque toe poke finish from Holford on his left foot!! At the break Fletching were 2-1 up, with the gaffer happy with the response after going behind, but disappointed it wasn’t more than just two, after several good chances.

Fletching started the second half as they finished the first, playing some lovely slick football on a small but very good pitch. Duff managed to aim one of his ten shots towards the goal, only to be denied by the post. Again a few minutes later, Benton unleashed an outrageous half volley from 30 yards, which struck the inside of the post and bounced to safety. The Archers dominance started to pay of as the third goal finally came after Benton raced through and put a rocket past the keeper which gave him no chance. Fletching, now showing a revered confidence, really started to turn it on with a slick passing move ending up with Burchett slotting home his second of the game. Old Varndeanians briefly got back into the game with a penalty to make it 4-2, but this was only to inspire our departing hero Doctor Stephen Pearce, who came off the bench to curl a 20 yard effort into the top corner. As the clock ticked down, goal machine Burchett scored again with a ferocious left foot finish to complete his first hat trick of the season.

“This was an excellent result and performance from Fletching which highlights the strength of the squad this year. A fully deserved victory for Fletching in which our famous passing game was back in motion! In missing three key players we would have suffered last year, but we have a very competitive younger squad this term, and you can see the belief growing in the team each week. Next up is a visit to Nutley where we will look to continue our recent form with another three points.” – Fletching midfielder and son of the manager, Chris Hyland.