Fletching made the long trip to Horley this week in a tough looking away fixture as they sought to get back to winning ways after last weeks home defeat against Maresfield. Influential midfield man Paul Rider was still out with a knee injury, as was top goal scorer Neil Lucey who had suffered a stress fracture on his ankle. There was a long awaited, and much anticipated return to the side for Mike ‘Sick Note’ Cronin, who was joined on the bench by forward cover in the shape of Powell, whilst Roberts and Holford pushed up into striking and right wing roles respectively, the versatility of Mark Dann highlighted as he moved into the right back position vacated by ‘Pip’ Holford.

On a very small pitch that should have suited the visitors contained style of short passing and movement, The Archers started well against a young but big, physical and spirited Surrey based side. Indeed it was The Villagers who dominated the opening twenty minutes with some encouraging, attack-minded football, with Duff time and time again pushing forward and linking up with the front two and with an overlapping Barbe from the back, finding themselves in behind the back four on a couple of occasions. Duff creating the first glimmer of hope straight from the kick off when a measured long ball from Funnell found the pace man who broke into the box and fired across a testing ball, narrowly missing the front two.

Makeshift striker Roberts and long time servant Burchett looked sprightly up front and began to cause the host’s defensive highline some problems with their dangerous running in behind, but a combination of some great tackles, as well as some mistimed ones meant the game remained goalless, as Horley resorted to a long ball game. The Archers took a deserved lead on the twenty-minute mark with a well-rehearsed free kick on the edge of the box. Usual set piece specialist Michael Duff stepped aside, allowing Wolvey the honours. As he shaped up to test the keeper he instead laid it off square to Mark Dann who drove the ball goalwards, taking a deflection off the end of the Horley wall before finding Buchett, whose glancing header was well placed to beat the hosts shot stopper.

The lead was short lived though as Horley hit straight back with an instant reply to level things up. A swinging corner to the far post in a crowded box and some scrappy defending by the visitors, who failed to clear, saw the ball fall straight to ‘Ley’s big striker. From only yards out he drove the ball through a mass of players into the bottom left hand corner, leaving ‘Minty’ Phillips with absolutely no chance.

‘Ley started to knock the ball round well, but still relied on a final long ball to their front two who were beginning to ask questions of a Village defence who seemed somewhat well off the pace now. Still recovering from conceding a poor equaliser, Fletching then found themselves behind moments later. A hopeful ball caught Funnell off guard as he was muscled off the ball allowing the hosts striker to into the box before spanking one well into the top corner, in what was a well-taken goal demonstrating good technique.

The remainder of the half saw both teams create good opportunities to score. The Archers using too many hopeful, long, cross-field balls, which really didn’t suit them, however it was paying dividends with Duff, Burchett, Roberts and Holford all carving out half chances but failing to convert. There was a setback for The Villagers traveling fan (Chris Hyland’s Mrs) as they saw their team concede a third right on the stroke of half time after some short, neat interlinking play in which their striker calmly slotted home as Hyland’s side came in for a half time ear bashing 3-1 down.

Fletching came out after the break playing with a new purpose. They seemed livelier, more intent, in a confident and creative mood as Wolvey and Hyland began to establish themselves in the middle of park, eventually dictating play, as The Archers swapped to an attacking 3-5-2 formation. Chances came for Burchett and Roberts but none could be converted, whereas at the other end gaps were starting to appear as the hosts also had a couple of near misses with Philips doing well between the sticks.

After a fairly even first fifteen minutes The Villagers were handed a lifeline. A lovely team move, involving most across the middle of the park, resulted in Duff offering a superb slide rule pass which split the defence, allowing Roberts to calmly place first time beyond the on-rushing keeper from distance. This seemed to spur on the visitors and they were very much in the ascendancy, as they looked to put the hosts under pressure for the remaining half hour – and they did just this, as they pushed men forward from deep, playing much of the game in Horley’s half. Barbe was roaming up the left, as was Holford on the opposite flank, whilst Duff, the now vocal Wolvey and Hyland in the centre were enjoying it more. However, much like the previous week, despite all the pressure The Archers failed to convert any real chances, Duff going the closest with a wicked free kick that was stylishly tipped over the bar.

Chris Hyland went off injured along with Steve Barbe as Cronin and Powell came on in what was the last throw of the dice from The Villagers gaffer, as they desperately looked to rescue a point. Cronin brought his usual self-assured style to the middle of the park with some neat flicks as he looked keep the football simple and on the deck, as the visitors continued to press. This did of course expose Fletching’s back three and they were caught on the break a couple of times, Powell tracking back well on one occasion to make an astounding last ditch saving challenge in the box. In the final few minutes though on another Horley break, it was the striker who once again escaped the clutches of Funnell, who, despite the best efforts of the big captain to bring him down, rode the challenge to steer the ball home & clinch a home victory for a very disappointed Archers team.

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

Although the boys were disappointed with the result this was a much better performance than last week. We looked good going forward and created lots of chances, however silly mistakes seem to be our downfall this season and they need to be cut out on a consistent basis if we are to go on a winning run. All the games we have won this season have been when we have defended very well and taken or chances when the opportunity has arose - more of this is needed. We have another tough game next week as we host AFC Ringmer who will be looking for revenge after we knocked the out of the cup, but it’s a chance for us to get back on track in the league with a morale boosting win.

Team: Phillips, Dann, Funnell, Bradford, Barbe (Powell), Holford, Wolvey, Hyland (Cronin), Duff, Roberts, Burchett.