After an absence of three weeks Fletching FC first team returned to action with a tantalising away day at neighbours Maresfield, as they looked to even proceedings up after the hosts had beaten The Archers 2-1 at The Recreation Ground only five games previously. Manager Clive Hyland had a familiar 4-4-2 look to his side, the only absentees being ‘Sheepy’ Cork, and long-term casualty Greg Roberts who is still out injured. The squad welcomed back the controversial figure of self-confessed ‘enforcer’ Darren Wolvey into the middle of the park as Bradford fell in alongside Funnell at centre back. Chris Hyland, who could hardly stand up, was on the bench, after his previous nights drinking exploits, he was joined by Toby Powell as Mike ‘Sicknote’ Cronin was handed a starting place in the creative midfield role.

As is customary the playing surface, although being rather more expansive than most in the leagues, was in perfect condition, as The Archers kicked off attacking the pavilion end. Much in the same vein as their first encounter, the hosts were slow in starting as The Archers took advantage with some smart movement in the sprawling middle of the pitch. Wolvey and the delectable Cronin who had rummaged into his little black book of tricks were linking up well with Holford and Duff who were combining well on the left as well as the animated pair of Rider and Barbe on the right who over lapped well to work some openings.

Despite the possession and time on ball in the middle of the park Hyland’s men couldn’t find the final breakthrough to the front pairing of Burchett and Lucey thanks mainly to some staunch defending and a well drilled off-side trap, restricting the two to a couple of half chances. At the other end The Archers defence dealt well with ‘Fields counter attacking play, Bradford doing well against their big powerful and experienced striker Reed who looked to hold the ball up on every occasion as he awaited support from a youthful, pacey and skilful midfield support.

The visitors took a deserved midway through the first period after poor defending gave Fletching a corner. From the set piece Duff found The Archers northern hitman Neil Lucey who had evaded his maker to nod home from a few yards out in a crowded box. The remainder of the half saw The Villagers continue to press without finding a clear means to double their lead as Maresfield began to establish themselves, their best opportunity coming from a speculative twenty yard effort from midfielder Wood, whose dipping effort was ‘calmly’ seen out by Dann as it whistled past the cross bar. 1-0 to The Archers at half time.

The second half belonged to the hosts, as an invigorated ‘Field side took the game to Fletching, dominating from the outset. As in the previous meeting between the two, The Archers simply took their foot of the pedal, completely switching off to let Maresfield back in it. The Villagers confident and controlled passing of the first period went out the window as a scrappy and niggling second forty-five ensued, with match fitness being the telling factor.

Yet despite this the visitors still seemed comfortable at the back, containing them well and forcing ‘Field into mainly long range efforts and half chances. That was until midway through the half when the hosts were gifted an equaliser. After being kept wide of the danger area by Funnell, ‘Fields young midfielder Southgate got a tame cross in from the by-line to the near post where a routine claim turned to disaster for The Archers shot stopper Dann, as he fumbled into his own net.

This seemed to have a detrimental on the visitors as heads dropped which allowed the hosts to exert their growing dominance and turn the screw. To their credit Fletching pushed for a winner, which left Funnell and his back line exposed which Maresfield looked to take advantage of. It didn’t help when influential midfielder Chris Hyland was refused onto the field of play after a mix up with shirt numbers on the team sheet, leaving the fitness struggling Michael Cronin to continue in a high-tempo midfield struggle.

More injustice was to follow when minutes later the home side were awarded a penalty after Barbe was punished for a perfectly fine challenge in the box, which even left the strong home support and players as surprised as Fletching. Mark Dann made up for his earlier error by making a fine save to his left as the visitors hacked clear the rebound. ‘Field now had a new belief and they continued to break in numbers, eventually taking the lead amid much controversy with twenty minutes to go. The ball was scrambled wide of the goal amidst a packed penalty area, as Dann dived to his right. Despite the ball being well out of play for a goal kick the keeper palmed it back into the danger area for Farley to fire home from close range.

The Tangerine Machine certainly felt hard done by circumstances, but persisted with all out attack for the remainder of the game. Some much need pace was introduced to the midfield in the form of Powell, who replaced Cronin and did very well when he came on. Nails and Funnell also poured forward at set pieces which left the visitors even more venerable on the break, as ‘Field wasted two or three good opportunities to put the game beyond their opponents, before Fletching were denied an equaliser close to full time as Burchett was left to stroke home into an empty net only to be denied by one of the best saves ever witnessed, as Robinson flung himself right across his goal to deny The Archers all time leading scorer from point blank range, ensuring his team finished with all three points.

Team: Dann, Barbe, Funnell, Bradford, Holford, Duff, Cronin (Powell), Wolvey, Rider, Lucey, Burchett. Sub not use: Hyland