Fletching went into this fixture on the back of five consecutive victories, having missed the game against Nutley the previous week due to bad weather. Davidson, who scored a hat trick against ‘Court last time out, had still not recovered from the Wealden game a few weeks ago, with his ankle injury likely to rule him out until at least early next year. Roberts also missed out as he was tanning himself in Florida. After impressing for the reserves youngster Luke Donnelly was called up for cover as was big defender Duly, with The Archers looking to keep up their impressive run in the league. A usual back four of Corke, Bradford, Funnell and Holford were complimented in midfield by club captain Darren Wolvey, Michael Duff, Chris Hyland and Martin Leeves who was playing an unfamiliar role on the wing. Stalwart Pete Burchett and powerhouse Dowding formed the strike force.

With the East Grinstead based outfit riding high in the league, losing only once all season, which happen to be against Fletching back at The Recreation Ground, the away support knew it would be a tough one. The Villagers were slow out of the blocks as ‘Court started to play their high tempo passing game on a sodden Imberhorne pitch. Within five minutes the home side went ahead. A simple ball through the middle caught Funnell wrong footed, where he was left chasing the heels of the pacey East Court striker who went on to finish well past Phillips. Three minutes later another crushing blow for The Archers as once again Court doubled their lead, with the pint size striker being allowed to run across the back line before being played in for his second of the game. Already with a mountain to climb, the Archers slowly began to get back into the game and had a couple of chances to pull a goal back as the front pairing of Burchett and Dowding, who were increasing becoming isolated as the game went on, both went close. The effective combination of the host’s front two were causing all sorts of problems for Hyland’s men and against the run of play a ball was put over the top for the big East Court striker who was simply too hot to handle, extending the home sides advantage. With hopes of doing the league double over the young side fading very fast, Fletching battled gamely and had a glimmer of hope, pulling back a goal just before half time. Good work from Wolvey ended up with Duff putting it in the back of an open goal from half a yard out to net his first of the season (Luke of course was not so pleased after Duff’s celebration!!!).

A reshuffle at the break saw Hyland gamble on a 3-5-2 formation, Funnell making way for Unwin with Dowding dropping back into midfield. The Archers put in everything to get back into the game, but looked disjointed, unable to sustain good periods of possession and as in the first half Burchett and Unwin lacked any service against a well-marshaled East Court defence. With the game seemingly beyond the visitors Hyland handed a debut for Donnelly who had the chance to impress on the right. Fletching’s best opportunity came midway through the second half when the referee gave a dubious free kick after a tackle from the East Court centre back found its way back to the keeper. However thanks to Wolvey’s quick thinking, and Burchett’s feet giving way, it ended up in an Arsenalesque attempt which rolled about three inches forward and was cleared. With the visitors lacking the cutting edge and beginning to tire the hosts put the game to bed with two goals in the last ten minutes. It could have been more if not for the excellent last ditch defending of Steve ‘Sheepy’ Corke. All the goals were scored by the impressive East Court front two, which will have to be noted for Hyland’s preparations for the next meeting between the two - a cup quarterfinal fixture in the New Year.

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

“Despite the result this was the first time this season we have been outplayed but we can take heart from the fact we have now visited both AFC Ringmer and East Court away in the league. I think the fact that we missed a game last week showed in our performance as East Court were a little sharper all over the park and deserved the win. We currently lie sixth in the league table but have played seven out of our ten games away from home, and with fixtures coming up against Nutley and Wealden respectively, we will look to bounce back quickly. It looks as if the top two will battle it out for the league honours, but as we have yet to face either Chailey or Dormansland so there is plenty to play for. We are all desperate make a mends for our terrible performance at Nutley earlier in the season, so this should be the perfect tonic for The Tangerine Machine to get back on track.”

Team: Phillips, Holford, Funnell (Unwin 45), Bradford, Corke, Duff (Duly 65), Wolvey (c), Hyland, Leeves, Burchett, Dowding (Donnelly 52)