Fletching went into only their fourth home game of the season on the back of some improved performances, which included a fine extra time victory over top quality East Court side the previous week. The home side welcomed back sixteen year old goal keeper Jack Fingerneissl, Funnell went straight into defence after missing the previous week, whilst new signing Dean Harper made his first competitive start for his new club, after making his debut last week. Skipper Stuart Douglas was still out injured, the impressive Cork was not 100% with his knee injury but named himself in the squad, and ‘Fun Time’ Frankie Egleton claimed a place on the bench as he finds his way back in after several weeks on the treatment table. This meant Holford continued in midfield, and with Neil Lucey sensationally quitting The Villagers, makeshift striker Michael Duff continued his run up front alongside a resurgent Ian Dowding. Summer signing Jamie Skates was named amongst the subs, as he looked for his first start for the Archers, after making himself available for the rest of the season.

The Villagers kicked down the hill for the first half against what was a big and strong looking Peacehaven side, and what followed was an exciting game of football, evenly contested, played at pace, with both teams driving forward in wave after wave of attack. The home side produced some of their most attractive football of the season so far. ‘Titch’ Barter and Phil Holford combining in the middle to spray the ball out into wide areas with some refined one touch passing and intelligent, diligent running from youngsters Marcus Barbe and Donnelly.

The Archers took the lead fifteen minutes in and through fortunate circumstances, when a teasing deep cross from the left saw Utd’s irregular keeper flap the claim into his own net. It did nothing to deter the visitors and they worked the hill well, playing patiently, as they looked to their dangerous front pairing. For not only were they lightening quick, but extremely powerful with it – there cannot be many players in the whole of Mid-Sussex league that Darren ‘Fat Boy’ Wolvey cannot muscle off the ball, but these were certainly two of them. Alongside Funnell, Steve Barbe and natural left-back ‘Deano’ Harper, they did well to stifle the visitors.

But Fletching of course had their own answer to this and it was he who shone throughout the game. The tireless running of Dowding who linked up expertly with his strike partner Duff were causing all sorts of havoc for Haven’s back line, and with Barbe Junior and ‘YTS’ Donnelly pushing through the wide channels, Williams side were looking dangerous, creating a couple more half chances.

It was Utd who hit back though, after a blazing run into the final third was crushingly brought to a halt by Barter, whose reckless tackle from behind was enough to stop the visitor’s player breaking through into the box. A brilliant free kick hit with stinging venom and curl was rifled into the top corner and left Fingerneissl motionless.

The see-saw contest continued for the remainder of the half as The Villagers, playing in a changed strip of yellow, continued to press and regained the lead once again. Darren Wolvey stepped out of defence with the ball before feeding Dowding down the right. He stream rollered forward, cutting in across his man before finding Michael Duff who was waiting square for the simple ball, as he tapped in for his fifth in all competitions this season.

Haven hit back almost instantly, barely a minute from the kick off and with The Archers still celebrating, a long cross-field ball was hit towards their left, where their striker was rampaging forward. Steve Barbe was unlucky in just failing to head away the danger, beating the Kebab King and allowing Utd’s striker to take the ball in his stride before firing home, as the sides went in level at the break.

The second period continued in much the same way as the first half – end to end, although it was dominated by the midfield. Phil ‘Pippen’ Holford was instrumental in today’s proceedings, he is certainly not the biggest in the squad, but has the determination and bravery to win much in the aerial encounters. By today’s display he has certainly settled into this unaccustomed role, alongside Barter, who covered every blade of grass. Williams saw his side slightly more on the back foot, which was inevitable with the slope, but even so, Wolvey was heard above every other player on the park, as he commanded a calm and resilient off-side trap, Barbe, Harper and Funnell digging in well.

It was star man and referees man of the match Ian Dowding who was chief tormentor, steadily wearing down the visitors with is youthful dynamic and dramatic running. The Archers went ahead once again in the game, after Marcus Barbe, who for once kept his mouth shut, received a simple ball from Wolvey. He drove forward before dinking a well placed through ball for Duff, who went through unchallenged to lift it over the on-rushing keeper.

In truth The Archers should have gone on to put this game out of sight, creating decent goal scoring opportunities in abundance. Dowding was twice put through after well timed runs saw him with only the keeper to beat. Duff was also guilty after breaching the off-side trap, but he failed to notch his hat trick goal. Moments later and Barbe Junior went through unchallenged, firing his effort dart like across the keeper, but just wide of the post.

Still very much in the game and Utd made some changes, continuing as ever to probe. The home side were forced into substitutions as well, when Dowding picked up a knock – Egleton replacing Marcus Barbe who pushed up into the vacant forward position. With fifteen minutes still remaining Peacehaven were awarded a penalty after Harper was adjudged to have pushed an opposition player. The spot kick was steadily dispatched to set up an exciting finish. Donnelly made way for Skates, the usual goal keeper coming on at right back as The Archers re-shuffled. Haven should have wrapped up all three points and looked certain to score after their two front men were played onside by Steve Barbe. The stout defender making amends for this as he tracked back to amazing get several challenges in on both players whilst only yards out from goal. Fletching could have nicked it at the end with a couple of half chances, but the final whistle went for a hard fought point-a-piece.

Team: Fingerneissl, S. Barbe, Wolvey, Funnell, Harper, Holford, Barter, Donnelly (Skates), M. Barbe, Duff, Dowding (Egleton). Sub Not Used: Cork