It was yet another trip to the north of the county for The Villagers this week, as they came up against East Grinstead Town’s Third team. Manager Rhys Williams handed sixteen year old goal keeper Jack Fingerneissl his First Team debut after making an impression for The Reserves last year and in The Archers pre-season training camp. This meant Bradley dropped down, as did Jefford and after a difference of tactical assessment Dowding also made the decision to link up with The Reserves. Regular wingers Luke Donnelly and ‘Titch’ Barter were both unavailable, but Cork, having travelled to Notre Dame the previous week, but not featuring, went straight into the back four alongside Dann, Holford and Barbe. Neil Lucey, having been recalled to the front side, was asked to spearhead the Fletching attack, after notching several for the twos in recent weeks – he partnered Burchett. New signings Chris Scott and John Mooney were included for the first time, joining Funnell on the bench.

After two heavy defeats in as many weeks which had seen the visitors concede eight goals and create very little, a confident side were keen to kick start the campaign, Town having leaked even more at the back. On what was a scorching hot day, on a terrific playing surface it was the hosts that took the game to Fletching. It soon became quite apparent that this was clearly a side that could play football, with plenty of experience from a much high standard of football. They were not a team who had been on the wrong end of a spanking for the previous two weeks; they were big, psychical, competitive and skilful on the ball.

Grinstead were dominant and physical in all areas of the park and in the air, enjoying lots of time on the ball, especially at the back where they appeared confident and calmly comfortable. Fitness was the telling factor, constantly passing and moving off the ball. In contrast Fletching never looked in it, losing the ball far too cheaply and resorting to long hopeful clearances. Lucey and Burchett both held the ball up top well, but had little support and no choice but to try and turn a solid back line. The hosts had already gone close, Fingerneissl making a fabulous stop to give himself some confidence, but once again The Villagers were the architects of their own downfall, conceding an early goal and then a second midway through. Darren Wolvey hit back late in the period after good work down the right from Duff saw him pick out the bruiser who had pummelled forward to head home, giving his side some belief for the second half.

Williams saw a much improved performance from his team in the second period, indeed they probably shaded it in what was a ding-dong battle and should have come away with a deserved point. The Archers were creating more chances for themselves and showed more bite in midfield - the introduction of Scott and Mooney injecting some blister pace to the upper echelons of the pitch. Very little went the way of the visitors, various players going close with good chances, Neil Lucey having a an attempt madly scrambled off the goal line as the referee waved away Fletching appeals that it had crossed the line. Then in the dying seconds Funnell was guilty of directing his close range header just over the bar, having been left unmarked for a corner. It was to be the last real action of the game which tamely petered out, resulting in a win for the home side and left The Archers still searching for their first win of the season.

Team: Fingerneissl, Holford, Dann (Funnell), Cork , Barbe, Egleton, Wolvey, Leeves, Duff (Scott), Burchett (Mooney), Lucey