Vs. Cranbrook (H)
Starting XI	Substitutes:
Grant Lewis
Dave Mills
Darrell Hartley
Dale Scowen	(20 Paul Rook)
Paul Ford
Alan Cowley
Adam Johnson
Andy Mills (c)
Pete Cooper
Tom Frere-Smith
Gary Walsh	(80 Dom Fowler)
Referee: M Woodham
Goals: D Mills (41), Frere-Smith (81), Johnson (86).
HT Score: 1-1
FT Score: 3-2

Two goals in the last 10 minutes gave Battle Baptists the first three points of their East Sussex League Division 3 campaign on Saturday. Twice coming from behind against a nippy Cranbrook team, the church based team were made to work hard for the win.

Despite an encouragingly energetic start in which Battle had a Pete Cooper goal disallowed by a very narrow off side decision, they fell behind on 15 minutes when a route one punt cleared the home defence for Cranbrook striker Daniel Moakes to strike home. On twenty minutes, Battle were forced into an early substitution when centre-half Dale Scowen fell to the hamstring curse. This forced a Baptist reorganisation with Alan Cowley dropping back to sweeper where his extra pace and anticipation countered the swiftly constructed attacks of Cranbrook. Grant Lewis pulled off two brilliant saves in goal to prevent a worse situation for the home side and Battle had their own chances to score before, on the stroke of half time, a lofted cross from left back Paul Ford was glanced on by Gary Walsh at the front post for the level-headed Dave Mills to crack home the equaliser amid confusion in the Cranbrook penalty area.

The away team regained their lead when a free kick on the edge of the penalty area was stroked against the cross bar and Dean Holewell reacted first to knock in the rebound. Dave Mills threatened to equalise a second time when he climbed well at a corner only to see his strong header fly narrowly over from 10 yards.

Then twin brother Andy Mills got into the action, carrying the ball into the penalty area and avoiding multiple tackles before being clumsily hacked down. As everyone stopped for the obvious decision Tom Frere-Smith took control of the ball and netted from 8 yards leaving an angry bunch of defenders who had heard the whistle for a penalty.

As Cranbrook’s squabbling players lost composure, Battle gained the initiative and it was left to the hardworking Adam Johnson to score the decider with 4 minutes to play. Cowley crossed a left wing free kick into the area and Gavin Frape who had played a solid game in the Cranbrook goal misjudged the flight allowing Johnson to head carefully into an open net.

Without a game next Saturday these were welcome points for the deserving churchmen who were finally rewarded for their three performances this season.