Vs. Wheatsheaf (A)

 

 

 

Starting XI

Substitutes:

 

 

Grant Lewis

 

Paul Rook

(60 Dale Scowen)

Alan Cowley

 

Max Sztyber

 

Paul Ford

 

Adam Staplehurst

 

Dave Sitch

 

Dave Mills (c)

 

Ian Rafiti

 

Steve Spicer

(61 Pete Cooper)

Gary Walsh

 

 

 

Referee: G Collier

Goals: Walsh (x2)

 

HT Score: 1-1

 

FT Score: 2-3

 

 

 

The Baptist side were firm underdogs in this Division 2 clash and were moments away from securing a point at Sports Park, but were cruelly denied when Wheatsheaf scored with just 2 minutes remaining.
Kicking downhill in the first half the Baptists took the lead when Alan Cowley struck a free kick from wide right on the half way line and Gary Walsh looped a strong header inside the right post from the edge on the area.

A strong run by captain for-the-day Dave Mills created space for Steve Spicer to extend the lead but although the striker kept a cool head, his shot slid agonisingly wide, to the relief of the Wheatsheaf defenders.
Battle’s lead held until shortly before half time when Max Stzyber was adjudged to have fouled his opponent inside the box and Ben Dain converted the resulting penalty.
Moments into the second half, Wheatsheaf went ahead as the speedy Godwin Dhiliwayo beat the offside trap and fired home. Further chances fell to the home team but each one was squandered. With 15 minutes left, Battle looked like they might take a point when Gary Walsh hit a free kick that took a deflection on its way into the net. Then in the dying seconds, after a succession of 5 consecutive well-crafted corners that were successfully defended, Wheatsheaf’s Lee St. Pierre headed in the winner from the sixth corner, leaving no time for a Baptist revival.
Wheatsheaf have still not been defeated this season and a draw would have given great encouragement for the endeavour that was shown by the young Baptist side. 
Next week is a mouth-watering double fixture as both the 1sts and 2nds take on Herstmonceux in their respective divisions. The 1sts really can't afford to lose if they are to climb the table, whilst the 2nds will see this as a great opportunity to pull away from Herstmonceux.