After two impressive cup results against top-notch opposition, Fletching entertained local rivals Maresfield in their first home league game of the campaign. Unlike the majority of the season so far, manager Clive Hyland was dictated by circumstance and lack of personnel as The Archers fielded a threadbare side. The likes of Unwin (retired), Cronin (elbow) and Cork (stomach) were all unavailable, and influential midfield duos of Rider and Wolvey were both carrying nasty injuries, but took a place on the bench. Mark Dann came back into the back four alongside Funnell, whilst Bradford pushed up into a more customary midfield position, the only other change being a returning Neil Lucey who went straight into the team up front.

Both teams looked slow and sluggish as they dictated a slower tempo game, unusual of a fiery derby, searching each other out, neither side wishing to make a mistake in the early exchanges. The Villagers had the distraction of a tricky lowly sun to contend with in what were, aside from that, perfect footballing conditions on a fine surface, which deserved a better quality of play than it was treated to. It was the hosts who were causing the early problems, as twice Neil Lucey and also Pete Burchett shot over from excellent positions. At the other end though ‘Field, who included a fine blend of youth and experience throughout the team, were testing Fletching resolve. Their youthful exuberance on the wings and up front helped to carve out several half chances as time and time again the hosts afforded them time and space as they ran well with the ball inviting the shot.

The game in general was a scrappy affair, Fletching seeming to forget how to string more than two passes together, looking unsettled on the ball and failing to maintain any sort of natural momentum or rhythm, but still taking the lead on the half hour mark. The Mares defender hesitated on the ball as Duff pushed forward closing down well to force the error and win the ball, running one on one with the keeper before calmly rounding him and comfortably sliding home for his first of the season.

With half time in sight, Maresfield were handed a way back into the game after a comedy of errors in what was a poor goal from the home side’s point of view. After failing to clear their defensive lines, they gave the ball back cheaply to Field’s young forward, whose tame shot-come-cross across the goal and with little support or threat, deceived Phillips, skimming in and then out of his hands before rolling gently into the net, as the teams went in level after the first forty-five minute period.

After a firm dressing down from their no-nonsense manager, The Archers returned with a newfound enthusiasm after their heads had dropped towards the end of the first half. However, in what was a real sucker punch, The Villagers found themselves behind after only a minute played. A distinct lack of organisation at the back and in midfield allowed their creative man in the middle, Brooker, to roam forward as he latched on to a hopeful long ball which Funnell failed to deal with, before finishing well past ‘Minty’ Phillips.

The Recreation Ground side were now up against it and were playing straight into the visitors hands as they had a lot of experience, and were proving difficult to break down. The departure of one ‘Field’s best players, Horscroft, was obviously a real blow for the visitors, but gave The Archers a glimmer of hope as they pushed forward. The remainder of the half saw Fletching dominate proceedings, Hyland eventually switching things to a 3-4-3 formation as time wore on, as they forced the opposition to sit in their own half and defend, peppering the goal in the process.

Chance after chance ensued throughout the second half as Lucey, Burchett, Hyland, Roberts, Bradford, Duff, Wolvey and Holford all had chances, but rarely was the visiting keeper truly tested. Maresfield had a couple of chances of their own on the counter, one headed effort coming back off the post and a free kick whistling just over. The game remained 2-1 going into the last minute, when another defensive error let in Lucey to run through on goal with plenty of time and only the keeper to beat. Most favouring the home side thought a share of the spoils was a cert, but the normally reliable Lucey blazed his effort rashly over the bar to compound a miserable derby day for Fletching.

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

‘Football is a funny old game’ - Cliché I know, but I really can’t work out how we can play so well against Turner’s Hill and AFC Ringmer, yet so poorly against Maresfield as we did on Saturday, especially as home. This was through no lack of effort, everyone battled, particularly in the second half to get back into the game, but nothing we did came off. I suppose we were also guilty of complacency, expecting the three points rather than looking to go and earn it. Once we fell behind to an organised and experienced Maresfield, we were always going to find it tough going. All we can do is rectify this next week as we travel to Horley Athletico in the league. From our two draws with them a couple of seasons ago, we will have to make a dramatic improvement if we want to come away with the spoils.

Team: Phillips (Wolvey), Holford, Funnell, Dann, Barbe, Duff, Bradford, Hyland, Roberts, Lucey, Burchett. Unused Sub: Rider