After their first win of the season last weekend, Clive Hyland had the luxury of an unchanged starting line up for the trip to Cuckfield, with Mike Cronin and Richard ‘Ping’ Clarke going down to The Reserves to make way for the returning duo of captain Jamie Funnell and Michael Duff who were on the bench.

The Archers picked up from where they left off against West Hoathly the previous week by controlling the game from the word go and fashioning some good early chances. Stand-in skipper Darren Wolvey and midfield partner Chris Hyland had their hands full with Cuckfield’s big two in the centre of the park, who were looking to boss with a massive physical presence, so The Villagers looked to the flanks for some inspiration, and found these profitable indeed. Holford and the frightening pace Roberts on the right were causing all sorts of problems for the hosts, the latter getting in behind ‘Fields defence on a number of occasions before supplying the front two of Burchett and Lucey with chances. Roberts himself should have opened his account for the season after following up Lucey’s attempt, but was off balance and his weak shot was cleared off the line.

The visitors were comfortable to switch their play at will and the left hand side was also looking dangerous as the ever-young Paul Rider was winning everything in his busying midfield role allowing new signing Barbe the freedom to push forward and link up well. Rider himself was on the receiving end of some precision passes as he looked to exploit the space in front of him, delivering some teasing crosses into the host’s danger area. Fletching looked to turn this pressure into goals after some first-rate passing moves involving Lucey, Roberts & Burchett saw them all go close.

The deadlock was broken mid way through the first half when the impressive Holford got to the byline and whipped a ball into the hosts box which eluded everyone bar Fletching marksman Lucey who pounced at the far past to head home. Only minutes later and the visitors thought they would get the chance to extend their lead from the penalty spot as Neil ‘The Northern Monkey’ Lucey demonstrated a nifty change of direction and pace only to be tripped in the box. However the referee thought otherwise and turned down the appeals, despite the home linesman flagging for the spot kick.

Cuckfield tried to find their way back into the game, but were restricted to only a couple of chances from open play, looking their most dangerous from set pieces, but The Archers defended superbly against a big team and cleared their lines. Only moments later a Fletching break away resulted in a second goal for the visitors just before the half time interval. Wolvey knocked on a header in the middle of the park where the inventive Hyland gathered it, before taking one touch and sliding the ball through to Lucey who bore down on the keeper before calmly and expertly curling the ball round him to make it 2-0 at the break.

The next goal would be decisive – one for the hosts would give them the boost to get right back into the game and a third for Fletching would effectively kill it off. It was the Tangerine Machine who continued their dominance right from the off. With the second forty-five only minutes old a delightful, sweeping team move should have provided an easy cushion for The Archers. Hyland, Holford, Roberts and Lucey were all involved in some one touch wonder stuff down the right hand side as Burchett’s final shot was deflected wide.

Chances were to keep on coming for the visitors, as Lucey twice came close from whipped balls across the box, one of them put way over the bar when it looked easier to score. Roberts too also had a great chance that went inches wide of the post as ‘Field failed to get to grips with The Villagers attack. Duff was introduced for Archers stalwart Roberts who had run himself to the bone, the Hove based utility man instantly making an instant impression when driving just wide after good work from Wolvey.

Lucey continued to press for his hat trick and thought he had it as he raced onto a lofted through ball before firing a rasping shot that dipped over the despairing keeper only to smash the underside of the bar before being scrambled off the line. The back four of Holford, Bradford, Dann and Barbe were rarely troubled as Cuckfield to their credit never gave up and looked to counter but could not break down the experienced Bradford and Dann.

Paul Rider was outstanding on the left and he also had a curling effort well saved by the home keeper, before The Archers finally managed the third they deserved with a little over ten minutes to go. It was the same three players involved again with Wolvey playing it short and simple to Chris Hyland who had and age to pick out Lucey, who ran through and rounded the keeper to complete his maiden hat trick for The Villagers. Fletching still could have and should have had more when they had what seemed like another cast iron penalty turned down. Jamie Unwin, fresh on after replacing Burchett, expertly skipped past his marker in the box only to be crudely clipped down. The visitors took the sting out of the remainder of the game, as they kept possession in the middle of the park to come out worthy 3-0 winners.

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

This was a fantastic performance from The Archers and its great to get two wins on the bounce to get our season back on track. We looked very strong in all departments, defended very well as a team, and created no end of chances, which is a dramatic improvement from the beginning of the season. All fourteen players contributed to the win which is very pleasing to see. Looking forward we now have only league game until November, with three big cup games coming up, starting with a home tie next weekend to East Grinstead Mariners.

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