Fletching traveled to Division Five league leaders Keymer & Hassocks, in the cup with a quarter-final place the reward for the victors. With the bad news filtering through that Burchett had been added to the list of absentees, his first game he has missed in over two years, Mike ‘Whiplash’ Cronin, Ian Dowding and the Dann brothers were called up to boost the squad. The Oranges lined up in a familiar 4-4-2 with Unwin & Dowding forming a new strike partnership, and the creative Cronin going straight into middle.

In heavy conditions Hassocks started the better, playing some good football and created several good chances. The Archers were very slow out of the blocks, and were almost punished were it not for the rash finishing of the hosts. Hyland's men weathered the early pressure of the first twenty minutes and finally started to keep the ball on the ground, with Cronin looking to link the play with Archers wingers Hyland and Duff. These three players were involved in Fletchings best move of the half - a crisp, flowing, one touch play which saw Hyland looking to break the deadlock from twenty yards, only for the keeper to make a fine save, palming the shot away for a corner. With the power and surprising pace of Unwin and Dowding, who were also holding the ball up well, the pressure begin to mount on the host’s back four. Keymer failed to deal with a succession of corners, with big target man Bradford forcing another great save from the keeper. The hosts showed glimpses of why they are top of the league, demonstrating great battling in what was still an evenly contested cup tie, but Bradford, Corke, Funnell and Holford, kept up their recent good work in defence, whilst as usual captain Wolvey was digging in and the game remained goalless going in at half time.

In a reverse of the first half, The Villagers started the second period with some excellent high tempo football and caught Keymer napping with a couple of quick throw-ins and free kicks. Dowding was guilty of missing an unmarked, close range header after an intelligent free kick from Wolvey, with the keeper still organising the wall. The fat midfield man was now dominating, and goal scoring opportunities more common, with both Duff and Unwin going close. The breakthrough came mid way through the second half when Fletching’s attitude was epitomised by Unwin, who battled against two defenders only for the ball to fall to Dowding who lashed it in from six yards out! Cue ‘Yakubu’ celebrations!! Hassocks heads seemed to drop after the goal, as The Archers maintained their discipline and shape very well. Both Dann brothers and Roberts were to enter the fray, giving a new lease of life to a tired, yet hard working team. This turned out to be a tactical masterstroke as the second and deciding goal soon arrived, which once again was all down to other players, with Dowding taking all the glory! Mark Dann launched one of his trademark long balls, with Holford doing brilliantly on the right forcing the defender into a mistake, only for Dowding to finish clinically from twenty yards out on his left side! There was no way back for the hosts after this, and Fletching were to come away with a great result and another clean sheet.

View From The Dancefloor with Billy Elliot (a.k.a Chris Hyland)
“This was another impressive result for Fletching, and considering The Archers were without both Davidson & Burchett, who together have scored more than 250 goals for the club, it shows the steel and the belief that is now growing in the team. With a quarter final against East Court to look forward to, as well as The Oranges extending their winning run to four, there is plenty to look forward to, starting with our return fixture at home to Old Varndeanians in the league next week. We really don’t know what to expect when we play the Brighton based team as their players can vary from week to week. We beat them easily at their place 6-2, but we are all aware that they can be a dangerous team, and The Archers will go all out to get their firth win on the bounce at the Recreation ground next Saturday. We are now only point behind second place in the table, and despite the fact we have played one more game, it would be good to keep up the pressure and continue to climb the table in our push for promotion.”