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| Saturday 05 November 2005 Fletching 4 East Court 3 EAST Court fell to a first league defeat of the season on Saturday as Fletching punished them for a lack-lustre display all over the pitch. The defeat means that East Court missed the chance to return to the top of the table for the first time since the opening weekend of the season and leaves them three points adrift of AFC Ringmer. East Court made one change from the eleven that started at Lewes the previous week with Carl Buckler replacing Ben Sunderland on the left wing but he, like so many others, struggled to make an impact as East Court failed to find their rhythm. Attacking the hill in the first half East Court were unable to impose themselves on the game and were second best all over the pitch. Fletching deservedly took the lead after half an hour after East Court lost the ball on the half way line and one pass later a Fletching striker found himself one on one with keeper Daniel Lamprell to fire the home side into the lead. It could have got worse for the visitors as Fletching had a second goal disallowed for offside. Bily Denyer spurned East Court's best chance of the first half as he sent a left foot drive across the face of goal. East Court were hoping to improve in the second half and it looked as though they might get things together as Denyer almost got in behind the home defence direct from the kick-off. It was only a matter of time until it was 1-1, the ball was crossed in from the left wing for Paul Brice to bundle home at the far post. The joy was short-lived however as a Fletching corner was headed home minutes later. East Court struck back with a long range free kick from midfielder Lee Champion that levelled the scores at 2-2. For the second time in the match Fletching went straight down the other end to re-take the lead, a long ball was tucked away expertly past Lamprell. East Court rallied again and made it 3-3 when Ross Kelly dispossessed the home defence and lobbed the keeper from the edge of the area. Unfortunately East Court squandered their chance yet again as Fletching made it 4-3 soon after. A corner was headed away by Adam Shillibeer but the clearance dropped to a Fletching player who fired it back through the crowded penalty area and into the back of the net. East Court pushed on again and had a glorious chance to equalise through Denyer but his shot flew over the crossbar to complete a miserable day for East Court. Team: D.Lamprell, A.Wright, N.Palmer (B.Sunderland), S.Nickols, D.Medcalf, A.Shillibeer, P.Brice, B.Denyer, R.Kelly, L.Champion, C.Buckler. Unused Sub: P.Bishop |