Fletching’s first outing of the campaign saw them come away from West Hoathly with a well earned and in the end warranted three points; however they nearly chucked it all away in a disastrous second period of the first half.

New manager Pat ‘Minty’ Phillips and his assistant ‘Deadly’ Doug Holford had a strong squad at their disposal and handed debuts to several new and returning faces. Goal keeper Martin Belford made his first competitive start, after signing from rivals Uckfield Town, as The Archers lined up in an experimental 3-5-2 formation. Newly appointed captain Phil Holford led the defence alongside long term servants Mark Dann and Paul Dickens. A inventive midfield of Leeves and Egleton were complimented with the tenacity of veteran Bradford, whilst Powell had done enough in pre-season to earn a start on the right wing – danger man Dowding on the opposite flank. The Villagers welcomed back the impressive Dan ‘Dogger’ Benton after his season long loan to neighbours Maresfield last campaign, he partnered the reliable Burchett. Funnell together with new signings Mockford and youngster Jimbo occupied the bench.

Fletching should have taken the lead straight from the start. Burchett and Benton combined well to rob the hosts from the kick off where the latter broke through only to fire wide of the target. The Archers font pairing looked particularly sharp but were dealt with capably by a deep-sitting Hoathly defence and with support slow to act from The Villagers midfield were forced to carve things out for themselves. It was the visitor’s who dominated for much of the early running, but too much long ball from the back was by-passing the skilful middle of the park – Leeves and Egleton seeing little possession. Fletching were given a scare after a dangerous counter attack, but the hosts could not convert.

The Villagers went one up after Burchett held the ball up well on the edge of the box before firing his snapped, scuffed shot effort through a crowded box and through the legs of West’s experienced keeper. Moments later and fan favourite Egleton nearly scored what would have surely been goal of the season. A dinked ball over the top from a wide area to the midfield man was struck first time on the volley, expertly with the outside of the boot from all of 30 yards. Bending away from the keeper it looked destined for the top corner before being tipped to safety.

Phillips side were still trying too much killer ball stuff from the back which allowed the hosts to come right back into the game. They looked comfortable on the ball, working it well right from back to front and switching play to make use of the expansive playing surface. It was some nice football and they began to prove a real headache for captain Holford and his back line. To make things worse Toby Powell limped off with an ankle injury as Fletching handed a debut to exciting prospect, youngster Jimbo.

The second period of the first forty-five belonged to the home side as bickering in The Archers camp crept in, pushing men forward to support Benton and Burchett, it left gaps at the back for Hoathly to exploit and but for some great last ditch defending by Dickens and Holford it could have been far worse. The home side got their reward midway though when a cross from the left found their man on the edge of the box who directed his looped header past Martin into the far corner for a well taken goal.

By this time West Hoathly had several further chances to score, pouring forward in numbers as they overwhelmed The Villagers, indeed they looked to have taken the lead only for Dan ‘Mini Minty’ Phillips to rule it out for offside. Bradford et al were working overtime to stem the flow of black and white shirts. However the Tangerine Machine still looked a threat on the break, Burchett and Benton forcing the keeper into action, before Dowding burst down the left cutting into the box. His dangerous ball across the box seemed to avoid everyone, Benton unable to connect as he slid in, as the teams went in level at the break.

A much improved second period saw The Archers take the game by the scruff of the neck in a telling twenty minute period midway through. It was not without its scares though as the Division Four runners up last season, competed for everything and were unlucky not to take the lead within five minutes of the re-start. Breaking down the left, a cross to the far post seemed to beat everyone, including Nicklas Bendtner lookalike Belford – cannoning off the cross bar it fell to an advancing Hoathly player who was sliding in, as his effort rattled the side netting. The following passage of play and once again a mix up at the back allowed the Hoathly striker in. He delicately lobbed it over Fletching’s advancing shot stopper only for Dickens to make an amazing recovery as he cleared off the line.

Fletching’s management team made the changes a third of the way in as Funnell was introduced to the middle of the park, Dowding making way as Egleton moved out wide. It seemed to change the complex of the game somewhat. First Burchett broke the offside trap to calmly finish past the keeper. Five minutes later and The Villagers were afforded some breathing space as 48 year old stalwart Neil ‘Nails’ Bradford stooped at the far post unmarked to head home Leeves’ corner kick in a crowded box.

New signing Mockford was given the chance to shine for the remaining fifteen minutes, Benton making way. Both he and Jimbo used their fresh legs to get forward in dangerous positions, as the visitors pushed for another goal, both look like good signings. With only a very short while remaining the hosts looked to have been a handed a lifeline when they were awarded a highly contentious penalty. Dickens was punished for a seemingly great piece of defending after throwing his body in the way of a point blank shot; however justice was done though as Belford saved close to his right.

Right at the death Fletching should have rounded things off after pace man Burchett, who ran his socks off all day on a sodden pitch, found himself in space just inside the area. He evaded one defender before blazing his angled shot well over the bar and into the distance, the referee calling a halt to the game seconds later as the visitors came away with all three points.

Team: Belford, Holford, M.Dann, Dickens, Dowding (Funnell), Leeves, Bradford, Egleton, Powell (Jimbo), Benton (Mockford), Burchett – Referee’s Man of the Match: Phil Holford