Fletching returned to league action this week for a return fixture with Old Varndeanians, in the knowledge that it would be a different, much tougher game from the previous meeting where The Archers ran out comfortable 6-2 winners on the pitches at Falmer. After a closer inspection of the visitors, it looked as if they were back to full strength, a similar team to which The Villagers had drawn with home & away last term. Midfield man Leeves and top scorer Burchett returned to the squad with Cronin & Unwin both unavailable.

With confidence high after four straight victories, The Oranges started well and were causing the Brighton boys some serious problems. Burchett & Dowding were combining well up front and gaining support from the midfield of Roberts, Hyland, Wolvey & Duff. The visitors offered very little in what was one-sided first half, the early breakthrough coming after twenty minutes, when Duff swung in a corner which Neil ‘Nails’ Bradford met at the far post to head home for his second of the season, despite the protest of O.V’s for an apparent push in the back. Fletching’s second soon followed after good work on the right, Dowding picking the ball up and driving at the Old Varndeanians defence, before hitting a left foot pile driver which flew past the keeper into the corner! It was the perfect start for home side, who had not let the visitors get into the game, and went into the break two goals to the good.

Fletching looked to keep the pressure on the Brighton based team, and looked to get the third goal which would surely kill the game. Burchett was looking very sharp after his return and got his reward midway through the second period. After being put through he shot across goal for the ball to nestle in the corner and for Fletching to gain a seemingly unassailable lead. However, the visitors were not finished and came back at The Archers, who were perhaps a little guilty of taking their foot off the gas. With fifteen minutes remaining, O.V’s central man, who was their best player by far and a constant threat, was put through and finished coolly over the on rushing Phillips. More drama was to follow, when a couple of minutes later the same player burst through again where he was abruptly brought down by the big man in goal, leaving the referee with no option but to award a penalty. Up he stepped to strike the spot kick hard and low only for Phillips to pull off a great save. However, the referee thinking this was a Premiership fixture ordered it to be re-taken as he hadn’t blown his whistle. The midfielder dispatched it at the second attempt and set up a grand finale. Fletching clung on thanks to some resolute defending in the closing minutes when the visitors pushed four men forward, to claim their fifth win on the bounce and most importantly three more points.

View From The Dancefloor with Billy Elliot (a.k.a Chris Hyland)
“With five wins from five, Hylands team are really flying at the moment, and morale is obviously high in the camp. Next week we host Nutley, with the boys looking to continue our winning run and desperate to avenge the defeat earlier in the season. It was noticeable looking at the results from last week, that the top six beat the bottom six which shows that the league is beginning to take shape. This week there is only us and East Court playing in the top six, hence we have a great opportunity to get into the top three and then consolidate our position. I know the lads can’t wait for the Nutley game and we all know its going to be a physical battle, but we will be more than ready for them!!”