The Archers went into another difficult looking away fixture on the back of two defeats to last years promotion rivals East Court, who themselves had won their opening couple games. Hyland reverted to a 4-4-2, with several big names absent including Holford, Rider, Unwin and Cronin, as ‘Davey-Boy’ Eastoe & Luke ‘YTS’ Donnelly made the step up. For the second successive week Funnell and Wolvey swapped roles, whilst Mark Dann and Duff slotted into a competent back four. Hyland found himself on the left wing as a result with Fletching looking to pace of Roberts on the right and Burchett and Lucey up front.

On a tremendous pitch Fletching looked to halt their barren run and get the ball moving about on a flat, grass-laden, picture perfect surface. Twenty minutes in and the game was fairly even, with both sides creating half chances, before the hosts took a one-nil lead thanks to the always-impressive Denyer. With the pint-sized striker at a tight angle, with his back to goal, and man-marker Duff close to his man, it seemed like the danger had passed before he dropped his shoulder and shot in an instant from the corner of the penalty area. The strike had dip and swerve on it leaving no chance for ‘Minty’ Phillips between the visitors sticks. This seemed to stun The Archers and they found themselves further behind when Courts mammoth striker Kelly headed home from a much-disputed corner.

To their credit heads did not drop and The Villagers began to rally, gradually getting back into the game with some good work down the right flank with Roberts, Lucey and Burchett all combining, the later putting a shot just wide. Burchett again got in front of his marker minutes later only to see his shot just clip off target. Burchett and Lucey were leading from the front, their pace and power causing problems for the hosts as The Tangerine Machine looked to keep up the attacking pressure. Lucey, Fletching’s mid season signing last year, was vocal, full of encouragement and running in a fine display. He himself had another wonderful chance at the far post moments later but unfortunately he couldn’t rap his foot around the ball and it sailed over. Hyland’s men were punished for their failures in front of goal, as a great team move from the home side saw another unstoppable strike sail into the top corner which really took the air out of the Fletching sails. The Archers were four down before half time, when makeshift sweeper Wolvey, failed to cope with the red-hot pace of Denyer, who fired calmly home.

The Archers were playing for pride now and reverted to a familiar 3-5-2 as Funnell and Bradford were joined in the middle by the creative Hyland, allowing Duff to occupy the left wing. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be, and the Lingfield-based outfit soon made it five when the striker raced through to slip it under Phillips. The Villagers continued to battle gamely, and still created half chances, but nothing was going right for them on the day. Firstly the hosts defender smashed a clearance past his keeper only to rattle the upright, before Neil ‘Northern Monkey’ Lucey saw his goal bound header come back off the cross bar, and a terrific Mark Dann run from the back saw the big man round the keeper only for the Court defenders to recover and clear the danger. Fletching were forced into changes when both Dann and Wolvey went off with injuries within moments of one another. Funnell slipped into his usual sweeper position and Duff into right back as Eastoe did well on the ball, settling it down and playing the simple football the Archers are renowned for, whilst the youthful pace of Donnelly brought fresh life to left wing, the youngster producing several decent runs and quality balls into the danger area. However the day was summed up with East Court’s sixth, a miss-hit shot from thirty-five yards found the only player in the box unmarked, who tucked it away in off the post. The Archers still had time to create a further chance, Burchett firing wide when well placed, but they also had to thank Duff for a fabulous last ditch header off the line, as well as Minty Philips, who put in some smart saves near the end. Final score - 6-0.

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

There seems to be a worrying trend developing in the last few games, as we continue to play well but without reward! This game could have been so different if we had taken our chances in the first half, but we wasted three good chances, whereas Court had four and scored them all! Being 4-0 down at half time didn’t help, cause we had to try & get back into the game somehow, but this also left gaps at the back for the hosts to expose! All we can do is attempt to tighten up at the back, & put our chances away at the front. From the look of things from the league, we have lost to three teams who will be there or there abouts at the end of the season, but we need to start picking points up away from home ourselves if we want to have any kind of a successful season.

Team: Phillips, Duff, Wolvey (Eastoe), Cork, M.Dann (Donnelly), Bradford, Funnell, Roberts, Hyland, Lucey, Burchett. Sub Not Used: Bradley