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Vs. Hawkhurst II (H) |
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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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Gary Wenham |
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Darrell Hartley |
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Pat Mammone |
(61 Steve Chapman) |
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Dale Scowen (c) |
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Andy Mills |
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Dave Mills |
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Tom Frere-Smith |
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Gary Walsh |
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Referee: D Barden |
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Goals: Walsh (32,74), Frere-Smith (64) |
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HT Score: 1-0 |
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FT Score: 3-0 |
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Playing their
debut game the all-new Battle Recreational Ground, the Baptists ran out
comfortable winners of this East Sussex Football League Division 5 encounter.
Having lost
5-2 to a strong Hawkhurst side on the previous Tuesday Evening, the home team
dominated this return match from the start, and could have scored twice within
5 minutes. The effervescent Tom Frere-Smith failed to convert 2 excellent
one-on-one opportunities as Hawkhurst tried to come to terms with his dynamic
attacks.
Without 3
regular first choice players, the Baptists battled hard in midfield with great
performances from Dale Scowen and Andy Mills in the centre.
The visitors had their moments and could have scored on 20 minutes when a long range swivel and shot skimmed the outside of Battle’s post. Otherwise the well-organised home defence held strong all afternoon, restricting Hawkhurst attacks with stout tackling and competitive determination.
Following
several squandered chances it was left to old-timer Gary Walsh to open the
scoring on the half-hour mark. He latched on to a Pat Mammone’s defence
splitting pass, calmly rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into an empty
net.
After the
break, Zion Man of the Match Frere-Smith continued to forge forward fruitfully
and finally netted a peach after gliding past 2 lunging challenges and slipping
the ball under the advancing Hawkhurst keeper for 2-0. A wild defensive
clearance from Gary Wenham whizzed over the Baptists’ bar but not much else
troubled the erstwhile Ian Nunn who kept goal admirably for Battle.
Steve
Chapman replaced the hardworking Pat Mammone who had worked tirelessly on the
right hand side of midfield, creating more opportunities to extend the lead.
When Walsh completed
the scoring on 74 minutes, it was with a magical goal. The ball was launched
out of the Battle half. As it dropped from the sky, the experienced striker, in
full stride, controlled the ball instantaneously over his shoulder, and
immediately dispatched a pinpoint lob over the oncoming keeper.
Club stalwart Richard Ahsam solidified Battle’s midfield for the last 15 minutes, epitomising the spirit and endeavour of the Baptist team. Happy to avoid relegation in their first season, Battle now sit in an admirable 5th position and look forward to the first leg of the Neville Barnett Trophy away to Beulah Baptists next Saturday, KO 3pm.