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Vs. Beulah Baptist (A) |
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Starting XI |
Substitutions: |
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Ian Nunn |
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Owen Davies |
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Gary Williams |
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Andy Frere-Smith (c) |
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Darrell Hartley |
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Pat Mammone |
(63 Steve Chapman) |
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Stuart Batchelor |
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Andy Mills |
(75 Gary Wenham) |
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Dave Mills |
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Tom Frere-Smith |
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Gary Walsh |
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Referee: |
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Goals: T Frere-Smith (2,59), Walsh (26,85). |
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HT Score: 2-0 |
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FT Score: 4-0 |
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The Battle team take a well-earned lead into the second leg of
the Neville Barnet Trophy, contested annually between these neighbouring
Baptist Clubs.
With an eye on their Printing Company Challenge Cup final, Beulah rested many first choice players and were immediately behind when Tom Frere-Smith rose at the front post to head home from an Owen Davies corner in the second minute.
Beulah’s midfield players were skilful and clever, enjoying the
better of the possession in the first half, without really causing danger in
attack. Battle’s defensive wall stood strong and having missed two good
opportunities, Gary Walsh increased their lead in the 26th minute, latching
onto a through ball, rounding the keeper and slotting a pass into the open
goal.
The pattern of the game didn’t change after the break. Beulah’s
tidy passing and neat touches failed to create chances and the away side
capitalised with Frere-Smith and Walsh helping themselves to another goal each.
Fifteen minutes into the second half, Walsh won the ball on the
half way line, turned his marker and his measured pass freed Frere-Smith to
sprint by the last line of defence. His precise 18-yard strike flew high into
the roof of the net giving the keeper no chance.
As the game petered out, an attack down the centre of the pitch
on 85 minutes resulted in a magical Stuart Batchelor flick, giving Walsh the
time and space to craft a lob over the out-coming Beulah keeper.
With no one man stealing the plaudits, Gary Williams was awarded the Zion Man of the Match for his fine tackles and well-timed interceptions, but this was another great team performance by the improving Battle side who approach the home leg on May 7th with the confidence of a 4 goal advantage.