Vs. Ticehurst (H)
Starting XI	Substitutes:
Grant Lewis
Paul Rook
Alan Cowley
Max Sztyber
Paul Ford
Seb Elliott	(50 Ollie Jeffs)
Dale Scowen
Andy Mills (c)
Dave Mills	(75 Josh Howe)
Tom Frere-Smith
Gary Walsh	(88 Dave Sitch)
Referee: D Harmer
Goals: Walsh (42), Frere-Smith (84,86).
HT Score: 1-1
FT Score: 3-1

The Baptists’ damp start to the Division 2 campaign was put in a backwater as the Super Stitch Cup kicked into action with the visit of Division 1 Ticehurst. Back to full strength this week, and relishing their role as underdogs, Battle played with determined character to come back from a goal behind. Coming into the game off some disappointing, and often undeserving defeats, two late goals from Tom Frere-Smith and an earlier one from Gary Walsh ignited the home team as they blazed to their first win of the season.

In true Battle fashion, it was their opponents that started the stronger, targeting Battles flanks to find some good positions without really penetrating the resilient home defence. As Battle worked their way into the game, it was they who found space in behind the defence. Rekindling their age-old partnership in attack, Frere-Smith and Walsh combined dangerously all afternoon, Frere-Smith twice being denied by the superb reactions of the Ticehurst goalkeeper, and Walsh similarly denied with two close range headers that were a fingertip away from opening the scoring, this after dale Scowen had hit the underside of the bar with a long-range firecracker.

So it was against the run of play when a Ticehurst attack drew keeper Lewis out of position wide right. The ball was squared across the 18-yard line and Ben Turk made himself some room and fired an accurate shot into the bottom corner.

Momentarily Battle hearts and heads sunk, and ‘Here we go again’ rumbled through the dedicated home fans. To their credit Battle pushed on and a finely squeezed pass from Dale Scowen freed Frere-Smith only to see another fiery shot saved by the inspirational keeper. This time however, as the ball span across the 6-yard line, Walsh pounced to take advantage of the defensive indecision, ‘tackling’ the ball home from 8 yards. The half-time whistle blew shortly after and Battle were in buoyant mood.

After the break, Battle continued in great style, patiently conceding territory in the opponent’s half and soaking up any long balls that Ticehurst fired forward.

Two more great one-on-one chances went begging, saved by the consistently brave Ticehurst keeper and when a Baptist corner led to a goalmouth mêlée, Max Stzyber shot home only to find the goal ruled out for a free kick. Another well-constructed attack down the left flank ended when Dave Mills surged into the box to see his tantalising shot creep agonisingly wide. Anything but a win would have been very harsh on Battle but a Ticehurst forward missed a great chance on the 70 minute mark as a lapse in concentration from an otherwise excellent Battle defence allowed the striker a great chance from just a few yards but he screwed his shot wide.

As the game edged towards extra time Battle finally got their just rewards ironically using route one tactics. Keeper Lewis kicked downfield, Walsh rose to flick on and Frere-Smith sprinted into the path of the ball, muscling his way past the last defender and crashing the ball into the far right corner of the net. Two minutes later the result was sealed as Walsh passed to Frere-Smith who notched his second and Battle’s third. A great win and one that can hopefully kick start the league campaign for the Baptists who play Wheatsheaf at home in a changed fixture next week.