After last weeks cup victory over Plumpton, The Archers returned to league action for an away fixture at bottom side Ardingly. Despite the host’s poor league placing, Fletching knew it would always be a tough game and manager Hyland was keen to point this out in his pre-match programme notes. The no-nonsense Welshman was left with an unexpected headache as the team bus left with only eleven and a half fit players (Roberts bravely risking further injury) after Ross Davison pulled out the night before complaining of flu, whilst regular right back Corke missed out after and unexpected incident at work in which he set a car on fire thanks to his expert welding skills. Barter returned to university, and Mark ‘The Butcher’ Dann was drafted in to provide defensive cover for the injury ravaged Reserve Team’s big league fixture. Marten Leeves returned to take up a position on the left of midfield with Duff dropping back into defence.

Attacking downhill in the first half on a surface that resembled more of a rugby pitch, The Archers seemed particularly sluggish. Maybe it was concerns over missing personnel or maybe it was over confidence? Whatever it was it took a couple of dangerous Ardingly corners and ten-minute period of sustained pressure to finally to wake the visitors up. Fletching’s response was excellent as they started to carve out some clear-cut opportunities. Midfield puppet master Chris ‘Billy Elliot’ Hyland sent a stinging volley towards goal only for the keeper to make a fantastic reflex save, followed by Wolvey crashing a left footed volley against the post from the rebound in a crowded and confused Ardingly box, as The Tangerine Machine upped the tempo. The home side, throughout the game played a very high line and their impressive keeper an almost sweeper like role, a very dangerous combination against the pace and technical expertise of Burchett and Unwin. Indeed The Archers squandered various chances throughout the ninety, time and time again breaking through only to be denied by the shot stopper or blazing wide of the goal. It was the front pairing that combined for the first as Unwin broke the offside trap to calmly slide the ball past the keeper for 1-0. The Archers now started to dominate with further chances falling for Burchett, Unwin and Hyland but none could be converted. Just before the break Roberts did well on the right flank, making a trademark run before driving inside and passing to Hyland who was taken out from behind only for the referee to dismiss penalty appeals. Justice was dished up seconds later, once again involving right-winger Roberts, after he was put through cutting in from the right, finishing through the keepers legs for 2-0 at half time.

The Villagers came out in the second half looking to carry on where they left off in the first and get the early goal that would effectively kill the game, however the Ardingly keeper had other ideas. Looking like an Eric Thorsvedt in his prime, time and time again he kept a glimmer of hope for the home side, pulling off a string of fine saves and blocks from all angles, as The Archers peppered ‘Lys goal. Burchett raced through and hit a left foot pile driver which cannoned off the bar to Unwin who, with the goal at his mercy, managed to put the ball wide. The same happened minutes later when Burchett found himself one on one with the goalkeeper but managed to put it inches past the post. Captain Darren Wolvey then powered into the box, turning like something off the P&O production line on their big midfielder who had more than ample time to stick with him, only to bundle him down from behind. As in the first half though the referee waved the penalty shouts as Fletching continued to work tirelessly for their three points. Hyland then had a thirty-yard belter tipped over the bar, and Unwin went close with a spectacular curling volley from the resulting corner. Despite the apparent dominance Fletching were made to work hard, by a useful side who, on the display they put in, are unlucky to find themselves propping division four up. After several half chances were snubbed out by The Villagers young defence, who are playing better together each week, the home side pulled one back with ten minutes to go. A free kick put into the box was met with a scramble and several deflections before being poked away. Fletching responded instantly and went up the other end through Unwin who had his shot saved into the path of the on rushing Burchett to finally get his reward - a deserved goal to round it off at 3-1.

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

This was a solid performance from Fletching, and despite the fact the scoreline could, and perhaps should have been bigger, the three points were secured. Again the movement and invention was very encouraging, and there were some outstanding performances, most notably from Duff, who was described as a Kangaroo by the Gaffer. With the revised fixture list we now travel to Chailey for a massive encounter next week, as both teams look to gain ground on the leaders. Including next week we now only have three more away games for the rest of the season, so if we can come away with a positive result next week we it will put us in good stead for the rest of the season.

Team: Philips, Holford, Funnell, Duff, Bradford, Wolvey, Leeves (Donnelly 62), Roberts, Hyland, Unwin, Burchett.