The Archers returned to league action this week after last week’s debacle at Bosham, which they looked to put firmly behind them, as they made the short trip to Scaynes Hill for a 272 derby game. With regular keeper Fingerneissl still unavailable, ‘Minty’ Phillips was recalled after Bradley deputised the previous week. Dowding and Leeves both dropped down to The Reserves, but striker Toby Powell was handed a starting berth after impressing – he played alongside Duff. The only other change saw Holford slot into a familiar position in the back three and Funnell occupy central midfield. Fletching welcomed back Darren Wolvey after his six week suspension had been lifted, and also captain Stuart Douglas – they joined Neil Lucey on the bench.

The visitors got off to yet another bad start conceding a goal from an early corner after Funnell received an elbow to the face which went unpunished and goalkeeper Phillips was flattened when coming for the ball which was bundled home. Hill were a big and physical team, who played some neat football, most of it stemming from their creative two in midfield who ran the show. A good passing side whose constant movement and liveliness rocked The Archers and were causing all sorts of issues for the back three who were afforded little protection . With the host’s constantly piling forward from midfield it was not long before the inevitable, after going close on a couple of other occasions, they bagged a second.

The home side did not have it all their own way though and Fletching showed good character to come back into the game, with some spells of attractive football themselves. Toby Powell was having the game of his life against a solid defence. He was unlucky to see his rasping thirty yard effort beating the keeper all ends up but cannoned against the cross bar. Moments later and he saw his shot go just agonisingly wide after breaking through one-on-one. Hill continued to press though and got a third twenty-five minutes in when defender Steve Barbe brought down the opposition defender in the box for a penalty which was duly dispatched. Duff, like Powell was running his socks off as others, including Funnell worked good openings to get their shots away at the other end, but nothing that really troubled the hosts goalkeeper as The Villagers went in at the break seemingly down and out of the match.

The second period may have seen the hosts take their foot off the pedal to some extent, but Williams’ team produced a much improved performance, which came from the decision to bring the influential Darren Wolvey on at centre back and Neil Lucey on up top for some added bite. The visitors dug in, showing a much more spirited fight, looking like they actually wanted to retain the ball. A much more even half saw Scaynes continue to get forward in waves, like they had done previously, creating some decent opportunities to further their lead, but they were denied by an inform Phillips who made some fabulous saves. At the other end of the spectrum The Archers should really have worried the hosts and got themselves back into the game. Lucey was guilty of missing three glorious openings, after brilliant work from the northern hitman saw him sneak in between two defenders on to a flighted ball. With the freedom just inside the box he really should have done better. Moments later and a close range free header went begging. Funnell showed considerable skill to feint one way, his trickery creating room for a left foot effort that went wide of the goal, Barter, Donnelly and Duff all having further chances to open The Archers account, before late on Lucey broke Hill’s off-side trap as he rampaged down on goal, however he was thwarted by a smart save. It clearly wasn’t meant to the visitor’s afternoon as they succumbed to their sixth league defeat of the season.

Team: Phillips, S. Barbe (Wolvey), Cork, Holford, Funnell, M. Barbe, G. Dann (Douglas), Donnelly, Barter, Duff, Powell (Lucey)