After weeks of frustration for many teams around Mid Sussex, Fletching returned to action with a home cup game against division two opponents Ardingly. Returning from the defeat against Maresfield were Chris Hyland and Steve Cork, both who took their place in the starting lineup at right wing and center back respectively. Paul Rider and Mike Cronin were both unavailable, as Matt Newman and Greg Dann stepped up from a fixtureless Reserve Team to take their places on the bench alongside Toby Powell as The Archers started in their usual 4-4-2 formation.

Archers captain Funnell lost an important toss as Fletching were asked to kick down the hill against a very strong wind, and it was the visitors who started the better. Ardingly looked to take the game to the hosts but were finding it difficult to break through a tight and hard-working Fletching unit. The hosts began to get more of a foothold in the game and started to play some nice football, despite the pitch cutting up more and more as the game went on. The Archers were to make a breakthrough twenty minutes in, when some neat interlinking football on the right between Holford, Hyland and Lucey resulted in the northern hitman curling a wicked low ball to the near post where Burchett got ahead of his man to guide home his first time shot with a fine finish.

Ardingly can have felt hard done by particularly as they had dominated possession at times, as The Archers on too many occasions stood off, affording the visitors time and space to run with the ball through the middle, creating shooting opportunities. This was combined with the fact the Villagers found elements tough going, as they struggled to get the ball out from under their feet, but ‘Ly struggled to make any clear cut chances as Hyland’s men looked to catch their division two opponents on the break. Indeed the hosts should have furthered their lead, Firstly Bradford found himself onside from a second phase as the visitors failed to clear a corner. As the ball came to him in the six yard box the unmarked midfielder, with only the keeper to beat, somehow managed to hit the post.

Moments later and Duff carried on his driven run into a forward position, cutting in from the right before crashing another one against the woodwork. Burchett and Lucey were to go close again, whilst as at the other end Dann was called into action to make a couple of fine saves, denying the visitors with their best chance of the game when their striker was put through one-on-one, to keep his side one goal to the good as they went into the break.

Fletching suffered a blow at half time as the inspiring ‘Sheepy’ Cork, who had been outstanding in the first forty-five, had to withdraw following back pains. Powell replaced him going out onto right midfield, meaning Chris Hyland slotted in the middle ‘Nails’ Bradford dropped back to partner Jamie Funnell at the center back. The Archers now had a swirling wind with them, but looked to maintain a rhythmical passing game of first period and catch the visitors off guard. More bad news was to follow when early on Lucey picked up an injury which left him unable to carry on. He was replaced by summer signing Matt Newman, who had impressed for the reserves all season, and the two new boys changed the game. Powell was working effortlessly up and down the wing, showing good attacking awareness, whilst tracking back well to make some fantastic challenges, when Holford became outnumbered, whilst Newman’s pace began to ask questions of a tiring ‘Ly defence, as he broke through on numerous occasions.

In ever worsening conditions, both teams battled gamely in what became a real slog at times, but yet again Fletching found the breakthrough midway through the half. Hyland intercepted a ball from the back and quickly released Newman down the right who in turn found Powell who curled a lovely effort round the keeper for 2-0. Ardingly found a way back into the game soon after as their striker was put through on goal and calmly slotted past the onrushing Dann for 2-1.

Not for the first time this season The Villagers found themselves being pegged back as they tried to hold on to the lead. As in the first half they showed their opponents far too much respect, allowing them to bring the ball forward with a determined belief. Burchett and Newman were still plugging away up front together and both had good chances to bury the game, but their shots were well saved by Ardingly’s shot-stopper. Burchett almost broke the net with one chance but it was to go inches over.

The introduction of Greg Dann on the left wing brought some fresh legs to proceedings, as he went on couple of trademark runs into the box, as Fletching tried to wear the remaining few minutes down. But Ardingly threw everything at the hosts and got themselves into some great positions, only to be snubbed out by a fine defence. However deep into injury time, the visiting midfielder had time to set himself and whip a twenty-yard effort onto the bar, where the striker swept the ball home for a dramatic late equalizer. Seconds after the restart and the referee blew for full the final whistle, sending the game into extra time.

With both teams tiring (especially Toby who was suffering cramp despite coming on as a sub) it was evident the team that wanted it the most were going to prevail. Funnell won the toss and chose to stick with the wind as Ardingly kicked down the hill from the off. An incident free ten minutes ensued, as both teams kept it tight, before the troublesome ‘Ly winger found himself through on goal. The hosts looked to be heading out the competition before left-back Steve Barbe somehow managed to make a last ditch tackle and nick the ball away! The innocuous challenge left the player down and it serious pain which looked like a broken leg as the referee called a halt to match and subsequently abandoned it.

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

It was a disappointing end to the game that had been played in great spirits but our best wishes go out to the player for a full recovery.After what seemed like an eternity with so many games being called off it was great to get back into the swing of things in a typical incident packed cup tie! The one thing we have been lacking this year is consistency, as we have put in a fantastic performance one week then a shocker the next! However our cup form has been impressive and all the lads were confident of victory here and were in not for a late late equaliser we would have been through! This was an encouraging start to the year though as Ardingly are clearly a good team, but now its time to replicate our cup form to the league because we have not done ourselves justice! This starts next week at a tough looking away game to Roffey.

Team: M.Dann, Holford, Funnell, Cork (Powell), Barbe, Duff (G.Dann), Wolvey, Bradford, Hyland, Lucey (Newman), Burchett.