Fletching’s stop-start season in the league was to be put aside for a week as they welcomed Cuckfield Town to The Recreation Ground in the Stubbins Challenge Cup. Ross Davidson and Dan Benton returned to add much needed firepower for the hosts, as well as Neil Bradford, all of whom missed the previous game against Uckfield. New signing Eddie Beale made his full debut, coming in at centre back for Funnell who failed a late fitness test after suffering from flu all week, lining up in a standard 4-4-2 formation.

The Archers started well, giving the home fans the sort of entertainment they pay to see each week as they took the attack to their division three opponents, twice going close in the early stages as several long range efforts worried the visitors, causing confusion in the defensive ranks. However Fletching couldn’t convert any of these half chances and it was Cuckfield who took the lead after a through ball found their striker who finished calmly past the on-coming Minty, despite the appeals of The Villagers defence and crowd who could see he was in fact at least five yards offside. Fletching’s injury woes were dealt another blow early on when Steve ‘Sheepy’ Cork had to withdraw suffering from stomach pain, which meant a re-shuffle. The increasingly versatile Duff went to left back, whilst Roberts came off the bench to occupy the right of midfield as he continued his rehabilitation from injury. The switch actually worked well, with Duff playing admirably in an unfamiliar role, and Roberts starting to get back to his best. The rest of the first half remained an even affair and the home fans thought they had something to cheer about when Fletching equalised just before the break. A deep cross from Roberts was met by Davidson with a bullet header from the edge of the box, only for the flag to go up.

A heated debate at half time seemed only to inspire Fletching as they took to the field determined to get back into the match, but yet again the ‘dodgy season syndrome’ took a stranglehold. The Archers dominated possession and had by far the better of the chances in the second half but failed to capitalise on this supremacy and were made to pay after only ten minutes when a Cuckfield counter attack created space for their winger to strike an unstoppable swerving shot from long range. Still sensing they were in the game and bayed on by one of the biggest gates of the season Fletching kept fighting against a dogged Cuckfield team, who used all their experience to dominate a very young ref. Bradford was outstanding at the back and was driving the team forward, Burchett and Davidson both went close with efforts, and numerous corners couldn’t be converted into that all important goal. Hyland had a volley from outside the box turned away by the keeper, Davidson went for a spectacular thirty yard lob only to miss the goal by inches and Duff had an absolute pile driver, struck so sweetly which looked destined to be going in, only for Hyland’s bollocks to be in the way – cue laughter from the side lines. He made a miraculous recovery though after Duff, obviously feeling guilty, offered to rub them better!! The hosts were resigned to knowing it wasn’t their day and this was confirmed ten minutes from time when an air shot from a Cuckfield corner dropped to the midfielder who spooned into the top corner. Wolvey, who had battled brilliantly then had a free header late on that looked destined for the net, only for it to skim the post and go wide, and with it Fletching’s hopes of a turnaround.

“Overall the lads were very disappointed with the result, but at the same time knowledgeable that we are simply not getting the rub of the green at the moment. A representative from the Mid Sussex league watched the match, and he himself expressed his shock that we had lost the game, let alone 3-0. If we can continue our battling mentality then we will get though this and come out better for it. Next week we have a notorious tricky away fixture at Crowborough in the league, but with our fortunes due to change we all look forward to the game!” – Fletching midfielder Chris Hyland speaking after yesterdays cup exit.