This week Fletching traveled to Framfield Recreation Ground to face bitter rivals Wealden for their third meeting of the campaign, with the knowledge that the hosts were desperate for a victory especially as The Archers had comfortably come out on top in the previous two fixtures. Hyland was forced to select from a reduced squad of twelve with Bradford (groin), Roberts (holiday) and Leeves (work commitments) all unavailable for selection. Davidson returned to the starting line up, partnering the inform Burchett upfront, as Unwin dropped back to an unfamiliar role on the right flank.

With a large crowd gathering, this derby game as expected, started in explosive fashion, with both teams looking to get the better of each other in the tackles rather than the football. On what was an awkward playing surface and despite the abundance of space on a large Framfield pitch, it quickly became apparent that it was going to be difficult to string any number of decent passes together. However the fluid, passing attitude to football that Hyland has deeply ingrained in his side, was evident as Fletching looked to work the ball in midfield. With only ten minutes on the clock, The Archers were to register a lead thanks to some good work on the right, which forced the ball out of play. A long throw from Unwin saw two of the midfield men combine, as Darren Wolvey flicked the ball on for Chris ‘Billy Elliot’ Hyland who calmly chested the ball into the air before executing a perfect overhead kick across the danger area, where it found Burchett who was the quickest to react putting his header in top corner. Unwin, who had a fantastic game working the wing tirelessly, was also to go close minutes later when he burst forward before cutting in and delivering a long range pile driver which shook the bar on it’s way over. In truth Fletching looked the better of two very lethargic sides, as the rest of the first half failed to live up to the high tempo opening fifteen minutes. The Archers created several half chances attacking the slight downhill slope and Wealden found themselves counter attacking with limited opportunity, looking most dangerous at corners and set pieces as Holford, Funnell and Cork assuredly snubbed out any threat.

With the knowledge that nothing less than three points was essential from this game, The Archers looked to step it up a gear and extend their lead, with Davidson and his pace looking dangerous on his return to the line-up, linking up well with Burchett and forcing the home side’s keeper into a couple of smart stops. Wealden then upped their own game as Philips was called upon for his first significant contribution, being alert to tip a rasping thirty-five yard effort over the bar. At the other end Ross Davidson went close with a strike from just outside the box that whistled past the post, an effort that was much closer than his attempted quick free kick shortly before which almost went for a throw in!! The Wealden midfield started to test Duly and Wolvey, as they pushed men into forward positions looking for an equaliser, on several occasions carving out opportunities for themselves in and around the visitors box and working Phillips in goal. The Archers started to defend deep and catch the Framfield outfit on the break with Burchett again going close after skillful work out wide by his strike partner, but his close range header was hit straight to the keeper. Michael Duff was having a rare off day, although finding space and working the wings extremely well his normally exceptional delivery was lacking and he was replaced by Mike ‘Sick Note’ Cronin. Duly was doing a fine job man marking in the midfield holding role, thus enabling Wolvey to push forward in the final twenty minutes. It was of no surprise then that the fat boy captain, who had won nearly every flick on and header throughout the match, popped up with the second goal to effectively kill the match off. Once again a long throw in from Steve Cork found its way into the box where ex-Wealden player Wolvey was found lurking at the near post to get a head on it and simply flick it over the helpless keeper. He was lucky not to be booked for his flamboyant celebrations directed towards the Wealden fans, who had been taunting him throughout the match (mainly about his excessive weight!). The visitors eased off with only five minutes remaining in the game, Cronin looking impressive with a dazzling array of touches as he continues to re-establish himself in the first team, as the game finished in a comfortable 2-0 win for The Archers.

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

Overall this was a satisfactory performance for Fletching as we did what was required to beat a battling Wealden team, and at this stage of the season it’s the points that matter, hence an important result. At the beginning of the season we were slipping up away to the likes of Nutley & Uckfield, but we are a stronger team now and are playing with a lot of belief, and it has showed in our performances of late. We now currently lie forth in the table, three points behind Lewes who have played two games more, and with only one more away game this season a good league position looks likely. Next week we turn our attentions to East Court for a cup quarter final down at Imberhorne, where we will look to avenge our 5-1 defeat down there earlier in the season. The lads are looking forward to this game to make up for a poor display last time out, but with one win a piece this season, and a semi final place up for grabs, we expect a full blooded affair!

Team: Phillips, Holford, Funnell, Cork, Duly, Wolvey, Duff (Cronin 66), Unwin, Hyland, Davidson, Burchett.