Vs. Catsfield (H)
Starting XI	Substitutes:
Grant Lewis
Owen Davies	(45 Paul Rook)
Gary Wenham	(20 Gary Walsh)
Simon Hockley
Darrell Hartley
Dave Mills
Adam Johnson
Andy Mills (c)
Pete Cooper	(60 Frank Mitchell)
Tom Frere-Smith	(45 Zac Smith)
Dom Fowler	(45 Ally Munro)
Referee: M Goldsmith
Goals: Own Goal (10), Frere-Smith (18,30), Cooper (25).
HT Score: 4-2
FT Score: 4-5

In the final friendly before the new season begins, Battle Baptists fielded the strongest available 11 and came into the interval 4-2 up against fellow Division 3 side Catsfield, despite suffering injuries to Gary Wenham and Owen Davies.

Battle gave full debut games to defender Simon Hockley and to keeper Grant Lewis and the half time lead enabled manager Gary Walsh to give extensive opportunities to talented youngsters Paul Rook (right back), Zac Smith (forward) and Ally Munro (forward) as well as give another chance to newcomer Frank Mitchell (midfield).

The home team tested the Baptists’ ravaged defence fully in the second half and pulled the game out of the bag with a winner 5 minutes from time.

Catsfield generously gave the visitors a 10-minute lead when a well struck Owen Davies free kick just inside the opponent’s half was headed into his own goal from 18 yards by an unchallenged defender.

Returning from altitude training in Poland, Tom Frere-Smith looked in mouth-watering form as he skipped through on goal and extended the early advantage with a crisp finish.

New signing Simon Hockley made his BBFC debut in central defence, but his partnership with the experienced stalwart Gary Wenham was curtailed after 20 minutes when the giant Wenham pulled up with a tight hamstring.

The setback didn’t upset Battle’s rhythm as soon after Pete Cooper cleverly curled in a 20 yard shot for 3-0. Catsfield pulled one back before top goalscorer Frere-Smith once again showed great ability, driving a shot past the Catsfield keeper. A defensive muddle handed Catsfield another goal before half time but not before the talented Grant Lewis, showing promising potential in his opening appearance, made 2 fantastic reflex saves.

The injuries to Davies and Wenham will cause concern ahead of the opening fixture against Little Common at Battle Rec. next week, but the team will be greatly encouraged by the strength of its midfield and the potency of its attack. Only our Lord and Saviour currently knows who will play in defence next weekend - there will be much prayer before the team is announced on Thursday.