On a bitterly cold afternoon The Archers made their first ever trip to Haven’s Piddinghoe Avenue Ground, to face a side they had met in the league only a few weeks previously. Manger Rhys Williams was unavailable, meaning assistant Steve Barbe and future hall-of-famer Jamie Funnell were left in charge of the young side. Fingerneissl was back between the sticks following his absence in previous games and after several weeks on the sidelines with injury, captain Stuart Douglas made his long awaited return, going straight in at centre back alongside Cork, who had also missed The Villagers last outing two weeks ago at Cuckfield – Agate and Harper both retaining their places alongside them. Funnell and Barbe dropped to the bench with youngster Starnes who had been called up, in an otherwise unchanged line up.

Haven looked a much changed side from the one that shared the points back at The Recreation Ground, and on a decent and expansive playing surface, the visitors got off to the best possible start imaginable. In only the third minute of the game pressure from an early corner paid off after the hosts failed to clear their lines, the ball falling to Barter on the edge of the area whose goal bound effort was clearly handled in the six yard box. Leading goal scorer Duff stepped up to convincingly spank the ball to the left of the keeper to put his side one up.

It was a far more even game than the score line suggests and the rest of the half saw an entertaining encounter, between two evenly matched teams. The visitors looked decent and lively in all quarters of the park, but the home side had two or three quality players in key areas that ran the team and posed a real threat to The Archers. Holford and Barter were exceptional in the middle of the park, despite the distinct lack of height they came out in top in a lot of the aerial battles against much bigger and physical ball winners. They were picking out Donnelly and Barbe who were gaining yards down the channels, and were linking up with the Fletching’s strike force to good effect. In truth during the early stages it was The Villagers who should have furthered their lead on a good number of occasions, Dowding and Duff both guilty of floundering opportunities, Barter as well latched on to a ball over the top but his control for once let him down.

The hosts came right into the game, Donnelly and Agate were given a torrid time by Haven’s impressive left winger – he continued to pressure up high along with the rest of a tireless midfield, but the two youngsters showed great maturity to help keep them at bay. However the home side were always a real threat when they got the ball forward, especially to their lanky striker, who constantly jinked and teased Douglas and the rest of his back line, with is nifty footwork in and around the danger area, as the hosts worked some good goal scoring openings themselves.

Young Marcus Barbe was steaming down the left wing, cutting in on his right foot on occasions and making a usual nuisance of himself. It was like watching Giggs in his pomp, on one occasion taking it round three players, all trying to bring him down, as he hugged the touchline. It was great skill to watch, but at times it left Harper somewhat exposed and it was this area that the home side exploited. Utd worked the ball and switched play through their right channel, providing service for their winger and supporting right back. It was no surprise then that this is where their equaliser stemmed from. As their winger ran on to collect the ball in space, Fletching found themselves stretched at the back, his cross picking out a free man to finish past a helpless Fingerneissl.

The Archers seemed despondent by this but hit back almost instantly. A hopeful long ball down the right was closed down by a lone Dowding, who never gave up on it. He was rewarded after the keeper beat him to the bounce only to then let it slip through his fingers, Fletching’s veteran striker reacting the quickest to nip past him and side foot into an empty net from the angle, giving his side a lead going into the break.

The Villagers were bolstered by their fortunate advantage just before half time as they looked to further their lead, but it was Utd who came out an improved side and the second half belonged to them in terms of possession and creativity. Ten minutes in and the referee awarded Peacehaven a lifeline, when he saw a push in a crowed box, after a deep cross from left. He immediately awarded the spot kick as the hosts big man stepped up to take it, his effort however cannoned off the post and out for a goal kick.

It was a real let off for Fletching, who for now looked nervous in possession; all the good ball work of the first period seemed lacking. This was down to Haven’s increased tempo which saw the visitors battling grimly in midfield, Holford and Barter faultless, but they just could get near home sides neat interchange in wide areas. ‘Sheepy’ Cork and the rest of the defence were working overtime, putting in a solid stint, as home side began to go closer, eventually scoring midway through.

Despite the setback, the away side, back playing in their familiar tangerine strip, looked comfortable. Dowding and Duff had to work a lot harder in the final third, often dropping deep as they came to look for the ball themselves, but like the opposition in the first half there was ample space in behind that was open to exploitation. Donnelly and Dowding in particular breaking through to provide several teasing crosses which lacked support. The two strikers both broke through on several occasions, but Haven utilised a neat off-side trap, Duff having the best chance when he beat this to go one-on-one only to blast his effort well high and wide.

Fletching were to rue missed opportunities and spells of dominance in the first period, when they undone all their hard work and a madcap and frantic final fifteen minutes. It was Christmas come early for Utd’s striker after Fingerneissl made a rare mistake. Having comfortably collected an optimistic long ball, the youngster looked for a quick throw out to Holford who had dropped to right back; he proceeded however to present it straight to the striker only yards from goal who curled it back past him into an empty net.

The Villagers pushed men forward for the remainder of the game switching to three at the back. Funnell bounded forward to support a good run from Dowding. The midfielder’s weak left foot effort failed to trouble the keeper, before Duff and then Harper both had good shots. The away side were of course by now very open at the back, Barbe making an incredible sliding challenge which saw him cut out the ball, having made up ground from left back to right back. With only five minutes remaining Peacehaven looked to have made the game safe, scoring a fourth on the counter. There was still time for two more goals as The Archers hit back with a minute to go – a nifty cross into the box saw Douglas sneak in unchallenged to nod into an empty net. However it was to be the hosts who had the final say, rounding things off in the dying seconds, again on the counter attack to complete the victory and send Fletching home with no points.

Team: Fingerneissl, Agate (Funnell), Douglas, Cork (S. Barbe), Harper, Donnelly (Starnes), Barter, M. Barbe, Holford, Duff, Dowding