Vs. Eastbourne Fishermen II (A)

 

 

 

Starting XI

Substitutions:

 

 

Ian Nunn

 

Owen Davies

 

Gary Wenham

 

Andy Frere-Smith (c)

 

Darrell Hartley

 

Andy Mills

 

Stuart Batchelor

 

Gary Walsh

 

Dave Mills

(85 Richard Ahsam)

Tom Frere-Smith

 

Steve Mumford

(61 Steve Chapman)

 

 

Referee: A Bampton

 

 

HT Score: 0-1

 

FT Score: 0-2

 

 

 

A Battle side hit with withdrawals from key personnel toiled away without success in the spring heat against an organised Eastbourne side. Playing with defender Ian Nunn in goal and pushing Steve Mumford forward into an emergency striking role made the task harder for the Baptist side, who failed to score in a match for the first time since October.

Despite this, the first twenty minutes were dominated by the Baptists, with Gary Walsh having a goal-bound header blocked and Tom Frere-Smith almost getting clear on a couple of occasions. The Fishermen starting to get back into the contest and it was they who opened the scoring with just over five minutes of the half left, when they broke through a static defence to leave an easy chance for the striker to roll the ball past the stationary Ian. The first half petered out after this and Battle went into the interval behind for the second game running.

As the second half started, Battle tried to impose themselves on the game more, having been second to the ball for a lot of the first forty-five. No chances were forthcoming, with a couple more Gary headers from corners the nearest threat to the Fishermen goal. Steve Chapman entered the fray just past the hour mark, having flown in from Milan and arrived only minutes before! Five minutes after his introduction, strike partner Tom burst through on goal but saw his shot palmed away for a corner. With twenty minutes left, a cast-iron penalty was not given when Tom was completely upended in the box by the Eastbourne keeper. Spurred on by getting closer to an equaliser, the Baptists pushed further forward. On eighty-two minutes they were caught short at the back and a cross in from the left found the Eastbourne captain unmarked and he placed the ball home to seal the game. The introduction of Richard Ahsam for Dave Mills was too late to have any impact on the match and Battle’s winless run was extended to three games.