Fletching had the benefit of forgetting their indifferent league form for a week and returned to cup action with a big quarter-final game against division one opponents Village of Ditchling, who had knocked out local rivals and division two high flyers Uckfield Town II. Cork and Holford were available for selection this week and came straight back into the team, with Powell going to the bench. Unfortunately captain Jamie Funnell was ill and missed out all together.

The Archers had nothing to loose in this game, setting out at a blistering pace to take the visitors by surprise. Some lovely football found Rider on the left, who beat his man and found newly promoted captain Lucey in the centre to rifle into the net. Fletching soon moved into a two goal lead after a quick release from the middle of the park let Lucey free on the left, and without warning he fired a twenty-five yard shot across goal into the top corner to spark wild celebrations by the ‘Northern One’. Hyland’s men were soon to find themselves in dream world as they raced into a 3 -0 lead inside half an hour. Hyland cut across his man in the middle and delivered a measured ball to Duff on the right wing, who in turn put it in a first time ball where Burchett fired home at the second attempt. Ditchling were to rally before half time and got their first from a corner as Dann misjudged the bend on the ball as it found its way into the net. The visitors were then to score a crucial second just before half time when the striker got released down the right and finished clinically into the bottom corner. There were further chances at both ends but the scoreline remained 3-2 at half time.

The second half began the same as the first, with both teams deciding attack was the best form of defence. Fletching came closest to scoring first as Wolvey struck the post from a dangerous corner, but Ditchling were to equalise with half an hour to go as the midfielder managed to get his shot away and it sailed into the back of the net. From this The Archers went all out to get the win, coming heartbreakingly close on a number of occasions. Duff was putting in some great corners which were causing all sorts of problems for the visitors, with one particular corner falling to Hyland on the edge of the area, who crashed a shot against the cross bar as the ball was scrambled away. More was to come when a Holford cross come shot cannoned off the crossbar, and in the final minute Hyland dissected the away defence to put Burchett through, but at the crucial moment the ball bobbled and his shot went just wide.

Once again Fletching were asked to go into extra time, but Ditchling were to finish the stronger, causing the hosts the most trouble throughout the remainder of the match. The Tangerine Machine managed to hold on but with only ten minutes remaining Ditchling took the lead, as the striker cut inside and once again finished clinically inside the far post. Fletching threw everything forward in the final moments but couldn’t get the breakthrough, as once again they were knocked out at the quarter-final stage in dramatic fashion.

View From The Dancefloor with Billy Elliot (a.k.a Chris Hyland)

This was a hard defeat for to take for Fletching as we couldn’t of asked for a better head start than the one we got from the visitors. However it was simply one of those games where we had at least fifteen shots, but the first three happened to go in. It was a very even contest throughout and the boys can take a lot of heart from that. If it wasn’t for a couple of class finishes from the visitors and a bit of luck deserting us when we needed it most, we would have gone through. However it was not to be, but if we can play to that level again for the rest of the season we have a good chance to end it on a high. Next week is our reply at Ardingly which promises to be another closely fought cup tie.

Team: M.Dann, Holford, Bradford, Cork, S.Barbe, Duff, Wolvey, Hyland (Powell), Rider, Lucey, Burchett.