Fletching returned to league action this week with a crunch home game against promotion rivals Dormansland Rockets. With the news filtering in that influential goalkeeper Pat ‘Minty’ Philips had sustained ligament damage, club stalwart Darren ‘Safe Hands’ Bradley returned between the sticks for his long awaited return to First Team action. Davidson was rested for a week with a reoccurring groin strain, as Jamie Unwin moved back up in to a familiar forward role, whilst Bradford returned to the starting line up. Cronin was rewarded with his impressive performances with his first start on the season, whilst Roberts put in a cameo appearance as he took a break from his whistle-stop world tour to join Duly on the bench. New signing Neil Lucey was also in the squad after his goal-scoring debut for The Reserves last week.

In only one of two games in the league that survived the adverse weather conditions this weekend, captain Darren Wolvey won the toss and elected The Archers attack The Field End with an immensely strong wind at their backs in what would turn out to be a very testing conditions. With the visitors finding it a struggle to get out of their half, kicking against the wind and up the hill, the back three of Holford, Funnell and Cork were rarely troubled, limiting The Rockets to a only a handful of half chances throughout the entire forty-five, with the big side looking most dangerous from set pieces as they looked to employ their obvious height advantage. Safe in the knowledge that The Villagers would have to contend with the same trying elements in the second period, it was important to make the most of the advantage, a point clearly stressed by Hyland as his side looked to get the ball down on what was a magnificent Recreation Ground playing surface. It took time for both teams to adjust before the home side started to exert their dominance, going close when the towering Bradford had his header cleared off the line. The Archers midfield were working tremendously to win the both the first and second balls, Cronin, Wolvey and Bradford winning almost everything in the air as Duff found ample room on the left to push on into, his quality delivery causing headaches for Dormansland. Top scorer Burchett should have put Fletching ahead on 19 minutes when he somehow managed to blast inches wide from close range with the keeper seemingly already beaten, whilst minutes later Duff squandered a free kick from a promising position.

The Villagers eventually took the lead thanks to some good work down the left. Michael Duff, playing in yet another different pair of fancy football boots, sent a teasing delivery right into the danger area where it was bravely bundled into the bottom corner off the left nipple of Mike ‘Scaramanga’ Cronin. The big guy took quite a knock and was going to ground injured, until the realisation that it had somehow gone in, wheeling away in jubilation to celebrate with his team mates. The Archers had several great chances to put the game beyond doubt before the interval with Burchett, Bradford, Hyland and Unwin all going close. The latter missing a glorious opportunity after getting across his man into the box before firing a left footed air shot which completely deceived the keeper, allowing the striker to carry on around him only to fire into the side of the net!! 1-0 at the break.

Fletching knew that they would really have to dig in for the second half if they were to come away with all three points, especially as the wind forced them onto the back foot from the very start. But as the visitors found out, it was just as hard playing down the hill as it was playing up it, as The Rockets over hit through balls were continually dragged out of play by the fierce wind. Throughout much of the remaining forty five Dormansland failed to aclimatise, wasting several good opportunities to cause problems at corners, as they continued to peg Fletching back, despite Bradley’s courageous efforts to gain distance from his goal keeps, it was inevitable that the home side defence would see much of the ball enduring wave after wave of attempted breakthrough. On the rare occasion that Funnell and co were caught napping, allowing ‘Lands striker a clear route on goal, Cork was there to pull off a wonderful recovery tackle, keeping the one goal lead in tact, but injuring himself in the process, coming off shortly afterwards for Duly.

To their credit The Archers continually looked to play football, enjoying some good possession play in their opponents half, this coincided with the introduction of pacey duo Roberts and Lucey. It added some much needed flare with both players causing problems, as the visitors struggled to contain Roberts down the right hand side, whilst Lucey ruffled a few feathers with his northern attitude and powerful presence. The two combined well shortly after, linking up with Burchett in a smart move around the visitors box before shooting just wide. Domansland pushed men forward in the latter stages of the game, which saw Bradford raising his game to dominate alongside Wolvey in the middle of the park. This left further openings for the home side as Roberts worked it well around the danger area with Burchett who set it perfectly for the on-rushing Wolvey, the bungling midfielder seeing his shot sail well over the bar. With around five minutes to go, plus a large amount of stoppage time, The Villagers came under real pressure to keep their 100% home record in tact with some vicious corners and long-range efforts being swung in, Bradley looking unphased in goal. The Rockets had a chance in the final minute of the game, debutant Lucey knowing very little about a block he made on the line as Fletching took the spoils in an inspired battling display.

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

The lads were delighted with the result after the game, especially since it was almost impossible to play football in incredibly strong winds. Overall we should have one by more, we created numerous chances everytime we got the ball down, but also in the knowledge that on another day we could have dropped points, so we are happy with the result. We are now third in the league, and look forward to arguably our biggest game of the season next week at home to Uckfield! We more than owe them one for the debacle at our place last season, so we will look forward to the match.

Team: Bradley, Holford, Funnell, Cork (Duly 57), Bradford, Wolvey, Duff, Cronin (Roberts 66), Hyland, Unwin (Lucey 61), Burchett.