Vs. Little Common III (A)
Starting XI	Substitutions:
Jamie Pooley
Owen Davies
Andy Frere-Smith (c)
Gary Williams
Darrell Hartley
Andy Mills	(80 Gary Wenham)
Stuart Batchelor
Gary Walsh
Dave Mills
Bryn Frere-Smith	(74 Dom Fowler)
Tom Frere-Smith
Referee: S Green
Goals: Davies (27 pen), B Frere-Smith (38), Walsh (62).
HT Score: 2-0
FT Score: 3-1

BBFC leapfrogged their Championship rivals coming out worthy winners of this top of the table clash against the Division’s favourites for the title.

Following 2 slow starts to their previous games, the Baptists were eager to start well and immediately went on the attack, with promising forages by the energetic Frere-Smith brothers. Gary Williams came closest to scoring as he leapt like a salmon to head a driven corner over the bar.

After the early successes, Little Common gained control in midfield and enjoyed their best period of the game, hemming the visitors into the bottom half of a very sticky pitch. Then on 27 minutes, a typical break down the right flank released Tom who was hacked down in the box as if Peter Sutcliffe was on day release from Broadmoor. Once the referee had leniently shown yellow, Owen coolly lashed the resultant penalty home for 1-0.

Ten minutes later Bryn extended the lead. Caught in possession, Little Common’s right back was shown a clean pair of heels by the speedy stuntman who sprinted clear and showed great composure to guide the ball past the oncoming keeper.

Just before half time, Battle rode their luck as a six yard scramble ended when a hand attached to an orange arm seemed to knock the goal-bound shot round the post for a corner.

After the break, Little Common’s attackers demonstrated more strop than an out-of-position Newcastle striker as Battle’s solid defence stood as strong as a well-drilled regiment.

On the hour mark, Gary Walsh, playing the holding position in centre midfield, intercepted a cross-field pass and measured a right-wing through ball for Tom to chase. The veteran midfielder then set off towards goal, arriving at the back post just in time to see Tom’s low cross, dummied by Bryn. On seeing his shot fly into the roof of the net he then set off on a joyfully exuberant victory run reminiscent of a 1966 Nobby Stiles.

The home team struggled to prevent Battle’s pin-point passing from exploiting weaknesses in wide defensive positions. Tom’s alertness and skill was matched only by his generosity as he suffered deja vue in a pair of one-on-one situations, putting his shot inches wide of the left hand post on both occasions.

The Commoners earned a late consolation when a hoisted lob found a virtual lump of concrete in front of Jamie in the BBFC goal. The ball unexpectedly bounced like a tramp’s cheque, and was latched onto by the surly LC striker who whipped a fine-angled shot between defender and post.

With the game looking in the bag, opportunities were given firstly to Dominic whose energetic play caused difficulties for a tiring home defence, and then to Gary Wenham, posted in defence to further strengthen the blockade.

Great performances from Darrell Hartley (remember that dazzling left wing run, hurdling multiple challenges to finish with a perfect cross), Owen Davies (a superbly hit penalty and a tight defensive performance), Gary Walsh (remember to celebrate your goal next time) and of course the magical Frere-Smiths (old and young). With all our players improving their individual performances week by week, and the team working more effectively as a unit, this game was a landmark in our progress.

Enjoyed by 37 spectators and a Doberman Pincher, this was a thoroughly satisfying way to spend Saturday afternoon.