Vs. Peasmarsh & Iden II (H)
Starting XI	Substitutes:
Grant Lewis
Paul Rook	(80 Seb Elliott)
Alan Cowley
Max Sztyber
Paul Ford
Dave Mills	(60 Pat Mammone)
Dale Scowen
Andy Mills (c)
Pete Cooper
Tom Frere-Smith
Dave Sitch	(60 Aaron Dreeling)
Referee: N Greenfield
Goal: Frere-Smith (80).
HT Score: 0-1
FT Score: 1-2

Any misconceptions Battle may have had as to the ease of life in Division 2 were swiftly swept away as they found themselves 1-0 down before having even touched the ball. A well organised Peasmarsh side quickly worked the ball to the byeline and the cross bypassed the hesitant Battle defence before being swept in from just a few yards out.

For the next 10 minutes Battle seemed to freeze and Peasmarsh must have smelt blood. The defence stood firm however and slowly but surely Battle imposed themselves upon the game and through hard work managed to find themselves playing some of the quick, attractive football that had characterised their pre-season. In fact, with the horror of the first ten minutes banished from their minds it was Battle who had the better chances in the first half and were several times unlucky not to go in level at the break, Tom Frere-Smith going particularly close after a wonderful through ball set him free.

The second half continued in the same dogged manner, with occasional good chances at both ends and while the Battle attackers came close, they also had to rely on keeper Grant Lewis to make a few great saves. Unfortunately a lapse in concentration allowed the nippy Peasmarsh forward an easy header and 2-0 seemed like the game was over. Battle continued admirably however and with 10 minutes remaining Tom Frere-Smith finally bagged himself a goal as he nipped in between defender and keeper to prod the ball home. Unfortunately the final whistle came all too soon for Battle but they can take heart from this. If they can learn the lessons quickly and avoid the odd naïve moment and lapses in concentration they can look forward to a very encouraging and promising season in Division Two.