Vs. Hawkhurst II (A)
Starting XI	Substitutions:
Jamie Pooley
Owen Davies
Gary Williams
Andy Frere-Smith (c)
Darrell Hartley
Pat Mammone	(61 Steve Chapman)
Stuart Batchelor
Andy Mills
Dave Mills
Tom Frere-Smith
Gary Walsh
Referee: T Slater
Goals: Batchelor (26), Walsh (45).
HT Score: 2-2
FT Score: 2-5

Welcoming back Jamie Pooley in goal, Battle Baptists fielded a strong side on the Wednesday evening fixture at Hawkhurst. Both teams were eager to win, with Hawkhurst still aiming for a top two finish in Division 5.

The home team started brightly and had the better of the early exchanges, only to find the Battle defending typically robust with stout tackling from the quartet of Davies, Williams, Frere-Smith and Hartley.

The first clear chance came following great work by Dave Mills down the left wing. Tom Frere-Smith’s pin point cross was met firmly by Gary Walsh whose well directed header was superbly saved by the acrobatic keeper.

The Baptists efforts were rewarded after 26 minutes when an attacking corner was headed down in the penalty area by Gary Walsh and Stuart Batchelor reacted first to shoot home from 2 yards.

Just when a half time lead was starting to look secure, 3 goals came in quick succession. Hawkhurst firstly levelled the score, and almost immediately took the lead when a right wing cross was forcefully driven home at the back post.

Then on the stroke of half time, a beautifully crafted free kick saw Owen Davies slide a sweet pass between 2 Hawkhurst defenders and into the path of Walsh whose right-footed lash left the keeper stranded as it smashed the roof of the net for 2-2.

With the first kick of the 2^nd half, Hawkhurst fired the ball forward demonstrating why they had elected to shoot with the glaring sun in their eyes in the 1^st half. Using the strong wind and the slope to good effect, Hawkhurst camped in the Battle half dominating possession and looking dangerous in attack. Strangely, when the bitter breakthrough came it was from a 30 yard half-hit midfield shot. Trying to clear the bobbling grass-cutter, defender Davies unexpectedly deflected it past the stranded Pooley.

The body blow was emphasised when the skilful Hawkhurst forward dribbled around several valiant tackles to fire accurately past Pooley for 4-2.

Once the impressive Hawkhurst side had made it 5, the Baptists earned a penalty when Tom Frere-Smith’s fleet footwork drew a clumsy challenge that upended the effervescent striker.

When Davies stepped forward to strike a fierce spot kick towards goal, the immaculate keeper stretched superbly to save at full length.

Battle will reflect on a good performance against several Hawkhurst players that wouldn’t look out of place in the Premier Division let alone Division 5.

On a different day the result may well be reversed…and that chance will come again on Saturday when the two teams meet again.