Fletching traveled to Ardingly for a replay in the Edgar German cup after the two teams fought out a close 2-2 draw at The Recreation ground before the game was abandoned. The Archers had the luxury of traveling with a full squad for the first time in months, so in line with Hyland’s rotation policy summer signing Steve Barbe took his place on the bench alongside Cronin and Powell. Captain Jamie Funnell returned to centre back with the versatile Michael Duff reverting to left back, as Wolvey and Neil ‘Nails’ Bradford made up the midfield central partnership, supported on the flanks by Hyland and Rider, Lucey and Burchett being the obvious two up front.

The Archers kicked off playing down the slight slope and looked to take advantage straight away. Burchett and Lucey were causing the hosts early problems, firstly from a flick on from Holford’s long throw and then moments later when a smart reverse ball from Wolvey split Ly’s back four, allowing Burchett to run on, his tame left foot effort falling straight into the keepers arms. However it was the veteran Bradford who gave the visitors an early lead, out jumping his marker at the far post to head home from a well-placed Duff free kick. The hosts took a long time to get into the game but gradually began to establish themselves only to run into an in form Archers back line, who looked to distribute the ball quickly, allowing their side the opportunity to get forward at every occasion. Chris Hyland went close as an effort soared just wide of the post, whilst at the other end Funnell recovered well to combine with his keeper Dann, as the host’s striker missed from close range just before half time. One nil at the break.

Fletching were to rue the fact they had only converted one of their chances, as the division two side came out in the second half and looked to attack. A change, whether tactical or enforced, which saw their midfield dynamo move up front replacing one of their forwards, seemed to do the trick. Only minutes in and the hosts won a header in midfield which fell to one of their players, who placed a fine ball through for the make shift striker to expertly clip over an advancing Dann. Hyland’s men responded well to this wake up call and should have retaken the lead almost instantly. Good work from right back Phil Holford, who was continually pushing forward, fed Fletching trickster Chris Hyland down the channel, whose drilled low ball in across the goal eluded everyone bar Lucey at the far post. With ‘The Northern Hitman’ stretching as he slid towards a gaping open goal from all of four yards out he some how managed to see his effort come crashing back down off the underside of the crossbar and cleared away. Ly created further chances for themselves throughout the rest of the game, but some dogged defending and a fine display from Fletching’s number one gave The Archers hope. Fletching could have wrapped up the game late on when Burchett measured a dissecting ball through to Lucey who went through one-on-one. With only the keeper to beat and all the time in the world to place his shot, last season’s signing from Burgess Hill Albion, saw his Thierry Henry-esq side footed curler well saved by the hosts shot stopper. The hosts could have stolen it with a chance in the final few seconds, but couldn’t convert and an exciting cup game went into extra time.

With legs beginning to tire and cramp setting in on a number of players, Funnell won the toss and once again chose to attack down the hill and gain some momentum. It paid off when five minutes into extra time Burchett reacted quickest to a flick on from Bradford on the right, firing in on the slide, as his shot curled past the keeper, to give The Tangerine Machine a lead at the turnaround. The impacts of Fletching’s substitutions were clear to see. Steve ‘Borat’ Barbe was already on the pitch but Powell and Cronin were also introduced, the latter having a hand in the decisive third goal. The Archer’s stalwart, impressing with his neat footwork and tidy touch fashioned an opening from nothing as he skipped past his man before releasing Lucey down the left. This time the ‘Northern Monkey’ made no mistake, beating his man before firing the ball into the top corner, setting up a quarter-final tie with fierce rivals Uckfield Town.

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

This was a fantastic result for the boys and we clearly deserved to progress to the quarters. Ardingly are a decent team but I though we had more desire on Saturday and it came through with the win, even if the game should have been finished off inside the 90. The game also highlighted how important a full squad is to us this season, as when the game was evenly poised the subs made a big difference to take us over the finishing line. We have now been rewarded with a cup tie against local rivals Uckfield III, who we have had many battles with in the past! There is no doubt this game will once again be settled by desire, so whoever wants it more will be rewarded with a semi final place!

Team: M.Dann, Holford, Funnell, Cork, Duff, Hyland (Barbe), Wolvey, Bradford, Rider (Cronin), Lucey, Burchett (Powell).