With two wins from two, The Archers went into this tie brimming with confidence looking to make it three on the bounce despite the continued absence of key players. The outfield remained the same from the Old Varndeanians victory, the only change being ‘Minty’ Phillips, who returned in goal.

Fletching were the hot favourites for the three points, as near neighbours Nutley were yet to record a victory in a year and a half, but the hosts, relegated from Division Three last year, had been involved in some closely fought games and were certainly not to be underestimated. Despite this, Fletching started sluggishly unable to get their passing game going, and were looking lethargic when in possession of the ball. If anything ‘The Tangerine Machine’ was starting to look a little careless, and was punished for their lack of concentration when Nutley took the lead midway through the first half. A long throw in by The Nutley defender was only partially headed away by the despairing Funnell, who flicked it on for the opposition to somehow head home in the corner of the net.

This was the wake up call Fletching needed, and the team responded well, upping the tempo looking to get the equaliser, only to refused by some resolute Nutley defending. The breakthrough came when playmaker Hyland spread the ball wide to Duff, who used his pace well to beat the defender and pull it back for Hyland to finish calmly from twelve yards. The Villagers continued to press, with Nutley’s keeper saving well from Burchett, but chances were few and far between and it remained one all at the break.

With the Archers faithful expecting their team to come out in the second half with all guns blazing, it was actually the Division Four new boys who were growing in confidence, starting to put the pressure on, and creating a few half chances. With Fletching looking to push for a winner, they were caught off guard with a counter attack and conceded a penalty when a clumsy challenge by Funnell inside the box clipped the big Nutley front man who fell to the ground half an hour later! The spot kick was converted and Fletching could find no way back into the match, as they slid to a painful 2-1 defeat. More misery was to follow, with 2005 Players Player Pat ‘Minty’ Philips damaging ligaments which should see him sidelined for at least a few weeks, only to be replaced by fellow injured temp goalkeeper Mark Dann, who did an admirable job considering he couldn’t use his right foot!

“Overall this was an extremely disappointing result for the Archers, and a bitter pill to swallow. However, all is not lost, and after a look at the league table, it shows that this is going to be very tight campaign, right from top to bottom. Next week we travel to Uckfield for a fifth consecutive away league game. This fixture is sure to produce blood and thunder after the shenanigans of last season, where both teams picked up the three points away from home without actually winning!! There is a lot riding on this game from both parties, hence this is a real chance to show the togetherness of the squad to go there and get maximum points.” – Fletching’s Director of Communications speaking after the game, as manager Hyland suspended all media interviews and banned playing staff from talking to the press after last weeks dismal performance.