Fletching went into their first ever Cup semi-final in good spirits after last weeks battling win over local rivals Uckfield Town. The visitors to The Recreation Ground were Division Two leaders Franklands Village, a team that had already been beaten by The Archers in the Mowatt Cup only a few months before. Unfortunately for the home side old warhorse Neil ‘Nails’ Bradford was side lined after a nasty looking injury the week before, but ‘Sheepy’ Cork returned to take his place at centre back in an otherwise unchanged lineup.

The Archers started well, albeit somewhat cautiously and looked to set the tone with some big challenges early on. It was clear that the visitor’s game was an effective long ball over the top, and with two very quick and physical strikers captain Jamie Funnell and fellow center back Cork had to be very alert to clear their lines early on. There was a lot at stake and neither team was giving much away, but it was Franklands who took the lead after a quick flowing counter-attacking move found them outnumber The Archers at the back, the striker went on to finish clinically. Hyland’s men now found themselves on the back foot and could have found themselves three down if it was not for the heroic goal keeping of Mark Dann. He made two fantastic saves, one in particular that he spectacularly tipped over from point blank range, to keep his side in the game.

Fletching began to push down the slope and were rewarded midway through the first period thanks to a set piece in a dangerous position. Michael Duff swung the dead ball in from deep to the far stick where it was met by tame Lucey header, his effort squirming into the bottom corner to bring the Division Three side level at 1-1. For the first time in the game the hosts were on top and were winning the first and second challenges, but with the problematic front two of Franklands trouble was never far away. The visitors took the lead at possibly the worst time for The Archers, scoring on the stroke of half time after Dann’s scuffed goal kick fell to the opposition striker. He drove through to see his shot well saved by the home sides keeper, only for it to fall into the path of his strike partner who tapped into an empty net for his second of the match.

The second half started with Fletching kicking up the hill and looking to find another equaliser, but it was the visitors who were creating more of the chances, as they began to show their superior fitness. The woodwork denied them twice as did some dogged defending from the hosts back four of Holford, Cork, Funnell and Barbe, as they looked to sneak something on the break. Lucey was unlucky not to further his tally, but a physical and disciplined Franklands back line kept him and his partner Burchett quiet, restricting The Recreation Ground team to long-range efforts.

Duff came closest late on as his cross-come-shot was rattled the bar, and with the goal seemingly gaping, Burchett couldn’t get a clear connection on the follow up. FV rounded things off, booking themselves a place in the final when they scored a third. An exemplary through ball from the visitors busying, breaking midfield found their striker who had peeled off his man to calmly poke past a helpless Dann, for his third of the game. Fletching battled to the end but to no avail as their cup run had come to an end at the semi-final stage.

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

This was a really tough result for the lads to take as we had come so far and beaten some strong teams to get to the semi. However we all knew that we could not have done any more on the day, as Franklands were a top team. They have only lost to three teams all season, and one of them was us in the other cup competition. It is a great achievement to get to a cup semi and quarter-final considering we are struggling so much in the league. Now to the rest of the season, and with the reformation of the mini leagues, we have a lot to play for and most importantly we need to avoid relegation. I have no doubt we are more than capable of doing that, but we must show the same desire as we have in the cup competitions if we want to finish the season on a high.

Team: Dann, Holford, Funnell, Cork, S Barbe, Duff, Wolvey, Hyland (Cronin), Rider, Lucey, Burchett (M.Barbe). Unused Sub: Bradley.