After West Hoathly’s surprise point against this week’s opponents East Court the previous week, The Archers went into this encounter looking anxiously over their shoulders as they were now only one point off the bottom place, and the relegation that comes with it. The visitors were a team who had comfortably beaten The Villagers on the two previous occasions they had met this season, scoring ten goals in the process, but with a victory over them last season, The Barn End faithful knew their team were capable of picking up points. Fletching were without center back pairing of Jamie Funnell and ‘Sheepy’ Cork, but Bradford had recovered from his knee injury, and the versatility of Duff highlighted when he was asked to figure in the unfamiliar role of centre back. The masterful Mike Cronin also returned and slotted into the right side of midfield.

In a contrast to the conditions over the season, The Recreation Ground playing surface was very dry and solid with a ferocious wind heading following the hill towards the South Downs. Hyland’s men looked to this advantage as they kicked off down the infamous slope, attempting to keep the ball down and play football. However, it was proving more difficult than first thought and although a few long shots came close, the opposing keeper was rarely tested. However the deadlock was almost broken when a long ball over the top by midfield fan favorite Darren Wolvey caused confusion. Bouncing over the keeper’s head he was saved from his blushes by his teammate making a last ditch clearance of the goal line. The Lingfield-based outfit rarely troubled the home side’s custodian Mark Dann, as the, normally accomplished young side, failed to adjust to the harsh conditions, ensuring a tough midfield battle for the remainder of the first forty-five which ended in a stalemate.

The hosts knew a tiring and hardworking game was only just about to begin. Playing into the wind was always going to be difficult, but after the first few minutes of the second half, The Archers in fact began to control the game. East Court were finding the testing elements trying, but The Villagers did well to keep the ball on the deck as they chased an equaliser. Michael Duff was having an outstanding game at centre back, and was marshalling the visiting strikers well with the help of the experienced Bradford, but neither of them could do anything about the opening goal, as a sharp turn and shot from outside the box was drilled into the bottom corner giving Dann no chance in the hosts goal.

Fletching felt hard done by with this set back but continued to push. The introduction of Dowding in place of Wolvey changed things with his direct running and brutal presence. Bradford should have leveled up when his header went agonisingly wide from only six yards out. Moments later and the tricky ‘Billy’ Hyland fed a dangerous ball in between the keeper and defence, the rebound fell to Burchett, but again the ball was cleared off the line and over the bar courtesy of the defenders knee. It was not to be for the lowly division three outfit as Neil Lucey, playing his first full season for The Archers and the effervescent Paul Rider both wasted good opportunities late on to rescues a point as Fletching succumbed to yet another home league home defeat.

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

This was a very frustrating result for The Archers as we felt the effort of the team was not reflected in the result. East Court also appeared to be missing a couple of players, but they were not the same team to the one that dismantled us 6-0 at their place, and we really should have taken something from the game. However for all our possession we created few chances, something that will have to change in the remaining games of the season if we want to stay in Division Three next year. On the brighter note we have played the two top teams in the division and lost to both by the odd goal, so if we can compete like we have recently there is no reason why we can’t win our remaining three fixtures, starting at East Grinstead Mariners this Saturday.

Team: M.Dann, Holford, Duff, Bradford, S Barbe, Duff, Wolvey (Dowding), Hyland, Cronin (Leaves), Rider, Lucey, Burchett. Unused Subs: G.Dann, Phillips