After last week’s heroic performance against Turners Hill, Fletching began their third cup campaign with a home tie to last season’s double winners, AFC Ringmer. The visitors were the only team to get three points from the Recreation Ground last year in a close fought 2-1 victory, but with the distraction of a cup, nothing to lose and still buoyed by last weeks result, The Archers were in an assured mood. Manager Clive Hyland was away, leaving the team in the hands of his trusted assistant Jamie Funnell. Top scorer Neil Lucey was unavailable, which meant a forward role for usual wingman Greg Roberts, whilst in line with the team rotation policy, Bradford came in at the back alongside Funnell as Dann dropped to the bench with Eastoe and Newman who were called up from a matchless Reserve Team.

For a change The Villagers started quickly at an unrivalled tempo as they looked to stifle Ringmer’s skilful midfield threat with Wolvey, Rider, Hyland and Duff working well as The Archers began to boss early on, never allowing AFC any time to settle on the ball, in what were difficult conditions on a gusty Recreation Ground. Playing down the slope in the first half the hosts used the ball neatly and wisely, playing a patient possession game, taking a deserved lead only ten minutes in after a lovely team move left Ringmer chasing shadows. Wolvey found Hyland in the middle, who controlled well before laying it off to Rider who cut inside and delivered an inch perfect ball into the path of the marauding left back Steve Barbe. The summer signing, enjoying a new lease of life in recent weeks at left back, sent a deep cross in to the arriving Burchett who put a bullet diving header into the back of net off the post for 1-0.

AFC were struggling to get a foot in the game, and despite the efforts of danger man Linstrem in the middle winning many an aerial battle against Hyland and Wolvey, they couldn’t find the killer ball for their tricky front two. Time and time again too much weight on the ball carried it safely out of danger towards Phillips in the host’s goal. The Villagers looked to capitalise on an unexpectedly sluggish Ringmer side, pressing for a second as Roberts and Duff both pulled wide well on the right to deliver some hazardous crosses for the visitors defence to deal with – Pete Burchett and Chris Hyland both having shots blocked at the very last by some courageous defending. This seemed to stir AFC and they began to wake up, their big physical presence causing problems at set pieces as a couple of half chances fell their way, both being blazed well over. However a sturdy defensive display from the back line of Holford, Bradford and Barbe who were well organised by centre back Funnell, allowed Fletching to go in at the break without conceding.

Fresh from a half time dressing down AFC came out and looked to attack straight from the off, but found the hosts defence in good form as Fletching kept in tight looking to hit the visitors on the counter attack. Ringmer almost levelled up shortly after the break when their attacker hit an audacious long-range volley which clipped the bar on its way over. The Archers took this as a wake up call and started to ask some questions of the visitors defence themselves, Burchett's movement and pace causing all sorts of problems as he won a corner for the hosts.

‘Dead Ball’ Duff whipped a deep, teasing cross over to the far post where forty-seven year old Neil ‘Nails’ Bradford had evaded his marker to power a header down and over the line in what was a very congested box. The Archers seemed to be firmly in control as they headed towards what was a seemingly comfortable victory, especially as the visitors heads appeared to drop. Jamie Funnell made way for Mark Dann and with a little under half an hour still remaining the visitors also made some changes – brining on fresh legs and switching to an attacking 3-4-3 formation as they sought to salvage something from the game. They were almost rewarded when a header from a corner clipped the post before pinging wide and out for a goal kick.

With fifteen minutes to go AFC pulled one back to set up a tense finale. ‘Nobby’ Linstrem, so often a thorn in Fletching’s side, gathered the ball deep and wide in the hosts own half before looping in cross which flew straight into the top the corner of the goal. Funnell introduced the pacey Newman up front as The Recreation Ground outfit knew they would have a play a counter attacking game for the remaining fifteen minutes, the impact was almost instantaneous as a well timed run saw the lanky striker take the ball in his stride and bare down on goal only for the keeper to save.

Much like the previous week, The Villagers found themselves with their backs to the wall and had to hold strong as they camped in their own half approaching the nervous ninety minutes, seeing yet another header cannon off the charmed Fletching goal, with the ball being cleared from the rebound. After endless injury time minutes, and the introduction of ‘Davey –Boy’ Eastoe to sure things up, the final whistle went for another fantastic Archers victory.

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

This was another excellent performance from The Archers and another big scalp to take. We were bitterly disappointed not to beat AFC Ringmer at home in the league last season to maintain our 100% home record, so there was an element of revenge in this victory. No doubt at times we rode our luck, as they have a team full of classy players, and they will definitely be up near the top of the league come the end of the season, but now we know we are capable of beating very good teams, which should stand us in stead for a successful season. The league itself is shaping up to be a very tight contest, as it looks as if any team can be beaten on any given day, so our home form will be vital if we want to maintain a healthy league position, and what better way to kick off our first home league game of the season than a local derby against Maresfield.

Team: Phillips, Holford, Funnell (M.Dann), Bradford, Barbe, Rider, Wolvey, Hyland (Newman), Duff, Roberts (Eastoe), Burchett.