Vs. Hastings Rangers (H)

 

 

 

Starting XI

Substitutes:

 

 

Andy Poulter

 

Owen Davies

(70 Max Sztyber)

Alan Cowley

 

Andy Moore

 

Adam Staplehurst

 

Pete Cooper

(65 Ian Rafati)

Dale Scowen (c)

 

Andy Mills

 

Dave Mills

(68 Paul Rook)

Gary Walsh

 

Tom Frere-Smith

 

 

 

Referee: M Woodhams

Goal: Staplehurst,

D Mills,

Walsh (x2),

Cooper (x2),

Rafiti.

 

HT Score: 3-0

 

FT Score: 7-0

 

 

 

The 1sts got the off to a flying start yesterday when captain Andy Mills won the toss and cleverly decided to kick with the blowing gale at Battle Recreational Ground in the Baptists final home game of the season.
Goals from Adam Staplehurst, Dave Mills, Gary Walsh(2), Pete Cooper(2), and Ian Rafati secured an easy win equalling the Club's Record 7-0 win over Bodiam in September 2005.
The wonderful win was founded on a solid defensive performance from the back four of Owen Davies, Alan Cowley, Andy Moore and manager's man of the match Adam Staplehurst, who hit the back of the net first in the 10th minute after watching his team-mates miss several clear chances early on.
Gary Walsh atoned for a glaring six-yard miss by following in a Cowley free kick to notch the second before Dave Mills nodded in a third from a Frere-Smith cross just before the break.
If Rangers thought that having the wind behind them would make life easier, they were mistaken when the Baptists scored straight from the kick off, Pete Cooper tapping in from close range after Dave Mills stormed down the right wing beating 3 defenders before crossing into the six yard box.
In central midfield, Dale Scowen and Andy Mills controlled the game throughout and Mills was bitterly disappointed when flagged for off side after he netted a rare headed goal. In the Battle goal, Andy Poulter only had back passes and overweighted through balls to occupy his concentration as Moore and Cowley organised an impenetrable defensive cordon.
By the time Cooper hit a fifth, Battle had employed their 3 subs Ian Rafati, Paul Rook and Max Sztyber. Rafati finished beautifully from 18 yards and Walsh completed the scoreline with a close range shot past Hastings keeper Luke Caister whose magnificent saves restricted the home team to single figures in a game that could have been so much worse for Rangers.
With a break next week for the SportsReach Soccer School, Battle will look forward to their last 2 games away at Magham Down and Herstmonceux.