Vs. Catsfield (H)
Starting XI	Substitutes:
Gary Walsh
Owen Davies
Paul Rook
Gary Williams	(80 Gary Wenham)
Darrell Hartley	(65 Paul Ford)
Dave Mills
Seb Elliott
Alan Cowley
Peter Cooper (c)
Bryan Leggett
Adam Johnson
Referee: D Harman
Goals: D Mills, Johnson (x3).
HT Score: 3-1
FT Score: 4-5

The only bad thing about this great derby encounter was that one team had to lose. Unfortunately, after a topsy-turvy match that duty fell to Battle Baptists as the division’s leaders clawed back from 3-1 and 4-2 down to run out winners.

Things looked good for the Battle side as they came to terms with the difficult pitch far quicker and it wasn’t long before they were ahead. Good work by Bryan Leggett earned a free kick on the right and Dave Mills rose beautifully to head home powerfully from 8 yards. One soon became two as Adam Johnson raced onto a long ball and finished wonderfully past the keeper.

It was hard to see how Catsfield could make an impression on the game but unfortunately a moment of indecision at the back allowed them an opportunity to bundle the ball home, which they duly did. Happily this did not seem to faze the Baptists who next won a penalty for a push at the back post on Dave Mills and Adam Johnson stepped up to confidently power the ball home.

Half time came and Battle knew that there was much still to do against the league leaders and so it proved as Catsfield scored quickly. A second penalty for Battle was unfortunately missed soon after but once again Battle hit back with what at the time seemed the decisive goal – Alan Cowley rose, salmon like, at the back post between keeper and defender to head back across goal where Adam Johnson confidently half-volleyed home for the team’s fourth and his hat-trick.

As has occurred at times this season however Battle began to back off and invite pressure, an invitation willingly accepted as the Catsfield side sensed a way back into the game. A third goal for them ensured a nervy finale for the Battle side and it was them that conceded a penalty with 10 minutes left to allow the Catsfield side to level it a 4-4. A brilliant lob of keeper Walsh with 5 minutes to go proved the final, decisive moment in the game as Catsfield ran out winners. It was a display that can give Battle much heart as they battle it out at the wrong end of the table but one can’t help thinking what might have been!!