The reserves were brimming with the sort of confidence that saw them promoted from the basement division last year, as they looked set to face local rivals Uckfield Town, with their first foray into division eight. Bolstered by the inclusion of imposing goal keeper Pat ‘Minty’ Phillips, pacy striker Davidson, influential defender Funnell and the flamboyant pretty boy Michael Duff from the first team who were not playing this week, manager Piers Carter and his trusty coach big J.C masterminded a conventional, yet exciting and potentially explosive 4-4-2 formation which was based around an experienced defence and electric midfield.

The Archers welcomed in the old hand of Neil ‘Nails’ Bradford and Mark Hill at the back, alongside Jefford and Funnell – a defence with an average age of 35! Whilst Fletching stalwart, captain and midfield general Hartup pulled the strings together with Dickens, Duff and Barter who was playing one of his last games before going back to university. A lot was expected from the front two of Davidson and Powell – Fletching’s very own ‘White Faustino Asprilla’, who had a point to prove to a minority of doubters in the press.

On The Villagers first half performance it is going to be a long hard slog of a season, as they played nowhere near the ability and skill they possess and demonstrated pre-season. This can only be attributed to being the first game and a couple of weeks without a match. Despite this The Archers remained firm at the back seeing out several good Town attacks as man of the match Phillips kept Fletching in the hunt, whose best opportunities of the half came from counter attacks – first Davidson and then Powell both going close. The reserves went one down midway into the first half as Hunnisett broke on a loose ball to lob an advancing Phillips with a clever chip. Sensing that Fletching were by no means out of the game, Carter made the bold decision to pack the midfield and push Jefford up, leaving three at the back - A decision that would later prove to be inspirational. Both sides keenly contested the rest of the half, as the new midfield combination started to gel and snub out the time Town were having on the ball in the middle of the park.

The Archers came out for the second half a totally different side – they were stronger, far more confident and hungrier for the ball, passing it around with a patient build up. The Uckfield midfield struggled to cope, as The Archers looked much more like the team The Recreation Ground fans know. With Badger and Nails rolling back the years it meant that Berries and co could supply the sort of service Powell and Davidson deserve, as both started to find their shooting boots, testing Town’s keeper on several occasions. This sustained pressure was maintained as Powell, who was not feeling 100%, was replaced by the returning Pearce, whose pace and power the tiring town defence struggled to cope with. Duff slotted into central midfield when Hartup made way for Clark and it was from here that he scored an absolute screamer right into the top corner that he will not stop going on about! It was lucky the referee did not book him for his over the top celebrations – running around screaming like a big girl!!

The Villagers were terribly unlucky not to come away with a point from this game, after a cruel injury time winner for Town. As Fletching pressed for a further goal after equalising, the gaps left at the back were evident and duly exploited with another smart strike by Hunnisett past the diving Phillips who did well to get fingers on it. If Fletching continue to show such great battling spirit and start playing the slick, ‘Total’ football they know they can, they will have no problems finding their feet in this new division.