Battle Baptist Football Club

News

Thur 27/10/2005

Team To Play Victoria Baptists - Sat 5th Nov. - Away - KO 1:30pm

1.Simon Cutler

2.Owen Davies, 6.Doug Morris, 5.Gary Williams, 3.Darrell Hartley

11.Dave Mills, 4.Pat Mammone, 7.Andy Mills(c), 8.Paul Ford

9.Gary Walsh, 10.Dominic Fowler,

Subs: 12.Pete Cooper, 13.Richard Ahsam, 14.Adrian Gaylon, 15.Gary Wenham, 16.Ian Nunn.

This is a cup game and so Kicks Off at the earlier time of 1:30pm.
We must meet at the Church by 11.50am(latest).
The venue is Eastbourne Old Town Rec. I will try to get directions posted on the website by Friday evening for those who want to go straight there but TELL ME so we're not waiting for you at the church. We must all get to the ground by 12:30pm.

Adam Johnson is not available due to a recurrence of the inflamed knee which needed an operation 2 weeks ago. Otherwise, I had 20 quality players to select from this week.
I doubt whether any 2 of us would pick exactly the same team, given the 20 names available so I ask for your support, even though there may be heavy disappointment in some camps. I pray that those without a place are not discouraged but show determination and patience in their efforts to get back into the team.
The very strong squad means that several players can consider themselves unfortunate not to get a place. Paul Ford has played his way enthusiastically into the left midfield position, keeping out Pete Cooper who wasn't available last week, and Loksan Harley, who returned from his half-term travels to find that even a place on the bench is hard to come by.

We know very little about Victoria Baptists, except that they are side by side with us in the League with 10 points and an identical record.
A huge factor in this game will be the weather which has been exceptionally wet this week and will make for very unpredictable surface conditions. This usually gives an advantage to attackers who are able to turn defenders more easily. Our defenders are crucial to success and need to be on their mettle in this game. The John Smith (No Nonsense) attitude will be especially important.

This is no longer the season to be attempting neat moves that string together several intricate passes. Midfield players especially will need to show strength and stamina in heavy, muddy conditions.
In this weather, goals will come from defensive errors. We must keep the ball high in the opponent's half, pushing men forward to capitalise on mistakes made by our weary opposition in their penalty area. The wind will probably play a large part. We may need to adapt the style of play depending on its strength and direction.

Some might say that because it's a cup match, this game is not important. I believe it's SO important for two reasons.
Firstly, having won our 1st cup tie 2 weeks ago, I'd like to see persoanl determination and character from players who really don't want to lose ANY match. Football was not designed for men with a losing attitude.
Secondly, in the context of our season, it's important that we give a signal. We want to be seen as a promotion contender, not a mid-table runner. Our 3 League wins have been against the lower sides in the Division and, having already lost to Hawkhurst, defeat on Saturday will indicate that BBFC are not capable of a top 2 finish.

All this makes it sound like the result is all important to me. Well, I haven't said a word to contradict the fair play philosophy that is at the heart of our Club - If we lose then we move onwards into the future. But as I implied earlier, football is a game that was designed to be won (by one side or another). I would be unhappy to pick a player who, before kick off, is already contemplating defeat.

See you Saturday.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Mon 17/10/2005

SQUAD TO PLAY VICTORIA BAPTISTS RANGERS - Sat 5th Nov. - Away KO 1:30pm

NOTE THE CUP TIE KICK OFF TIME OF 1:30PM. THIS MEANS MEETING IN GOOD TIME TO BE AT THE OTHER SIDE OF EASTBOURNE BY 12:30PM.

Simon Cutler, Ian Nunn, Owen Davies, Darrell Hartley, Gary Wenham, Gary Williams, Doug Morris, Paul Ford, Steve Mumford, Ollie Jeffs, Adrian Gaylon, Dave Mills, Andy Mills, Loksan Harley, Adam Johnson, Gary Walsh, Dominic Fowler, Iain Henning, Richard Ahsam.

The final squad will be posted by Thursday night, following training on Wednesday.

One of the great things about playing for a new Club is that almost every week we have a NEW experience. This coming week it's the first time we've ever played against Victoria Baptists. It will be fascinating to see if their approach is similar to ours, or if it's more akin to Beulah.

It sounds like yesterday was a gruelling game against a predictably fiery Hastings Rangers side. Reports tell that several Ranger's players let themselves down by imitating 'Premiership' behaviour. Even though I said that we should expect intimidation and persecution, sometimes the reality is still a shock to the system. However, the more we put ourselves in these situations, the better we will become at handling it.
Never forget that our Club exists to show witness to these sides, demonstrating that football can be played in a competitive yet Christian Spirit. In this sense, we can never lose! I'm delighted with all my players when they keep their cool in adversity and play with honourable character.

I'm very excited about meeting Victoria Baptists for the first time on Saturday. They appear to be a mixed bunch, capable of winning hard games against tough opposition, and equally capable of dropping points against lowly teams.

Our Hastings Rangers experience will stand us in good stead. Make no pretence, Victoria will not give any quarter. Their record shows that they score goals freely and if we allow them to, they will dominate the game.
We have a strong squad with Pete, Doug, Loksan and Gary returning. It's likely that Adam will play a central midfield role allowing Dominic and Gary to lead the strikeforce.

Now that we've won our first cup game, let's see if we can continue this success.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Sat 29/10/2005

BBFC Site Update

As Gary is away, I will post here and say well done to all the players, who did all they could but unfortunately we were beaten by a side who were better on the day. Some hope can be taken from the last fifteen minutes and next week we have a chance to continue our new-found cup 'form' against Victoria Baptists.
Thanks also to Richard Ahsam for donning the big grey coat and managing the team on the day. It is a tough job, especially when you are doing it as a one-off, and his efforts were much appreciated by all the players.
Everything is now updated, with the relevant stats, reports, pictures and player profiles.
Follow the link or go through the pictures section to see pictures from today's game. There aren't many because the sun was so low. Click Here.

Posted by: Steve Mumford

Thur 27/10/2005

Team To Play Hastings Rangers II - Sat 29 Oct. - Home - KO 3pm

1.Simon Cutler

2.Owen Davies, 9.Gary Wenham, 5.Gary Williams, 3.Darrell Hartley

4.Pat Mammone, 6.Adrian Gaylon, 7.Andy Mills(c), 8.Paul Ford

11.Dave Mills, 10.Adam Johnson

Subs: 12.Steve Mumford, 13.Richard Ahsam, 14.Dominic Fowler, 15.Iain Henning, 16.Ian Nunn.

Meet at the Rec at 2pm(latest).

With several players not around this weekend it's great to welcome back Adam anfter the communication collapse of last week. Adam's quick thinking and fiery shooting will unsettle the Hastings defence.

Also back (for a limited viewing) is Pat Mammone who will pass a fitness test today (Thur). We will benefit from his energy and enthusiasm.

Dominic is also available and ready to use his lighning pace to destroy a weary defence when he comes off the subs bench during the second half.

For once we are the underdog. Hastings Rangers are top of the Division and play a very strong, physical game. They like to play the ball early into the feet of their big centre forward and the team is scoring lots of goals.

We will need to defend well throughout the team, working especially hard in midfield and attack so as not to allow good service to the Hastings forwards.

Our encouragement is that our opposition are conceding goals as well and we have 2 strong forwards who have an instinct for goal. Midfield is also brimming with energy - so we will break quickly, with lots of bodies getting into the danger area.

Expect a physical and verbal barage. We found out last year that Rangers don't give in easily and some of their players like to taunt and intimidate.
We know how to rise above this to ensure that EVERYONE, that's 22 players + subs, officials, spectators and passer-bys can enjoy their Saturday afternoon at Battle Rec.

The weather will be fine so have a great day fellas. Work hard for those 3 points and enjoy the occasion.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Mon 17/10/2005

SQUAD TO PLAY HASTINGS RANGERS III - Sat 29nd Oct. - Home KO 3pm

Simon Cutler, Ian Nunn, Owen Davies, Darrell Hartley, Gary Wenham, Gary Williams, Paul Ford, Steve Mumford, Ollie Jeffs, Adrian Gaylon, Dave Mills, Andy Mills, Adam Johnson, Iain Henning, Richard Ahsam.

The final squad will be posted by Thursday night, following training on Wednesday.

What a fine performance yesterday as we beat Wadhurst by a very comfortable 2-0.
We had a game plan for the first 15 mins that lasted the whole game! We played strongly in the first quarter of the match and we didn't let up at all. Wadhurst didn't really threaten our goal and we deserved to score more ourselves with superb efforts by all the midfield players in strength sappingly long grass.

It was wonderful to see good performances by debutant BBFC players. Simon Cutler is looking like he will make the keepers shirt his own (actually the shirt IS his own) while Adrian Gaylon did extremely well stepping in at the last moment to play a holding role in midfield.In only his 2nd game, Mike Gould played superbly in attack, holding the ball and bringing others into play.

My man of the match however was Dave Mills who never slowed down the pace of the first 10 minutes. (Maybe he was waiting for the order to change tactics). Not only did he open the scoring at the end of the first half but he carried on causing problems for the Wadhurst left back and left midfield throughout the 2nd half. This created all the space and time that I myself had when I ran on to score our 2nd goal. A fantastic performance, full of energy and determination!!!

The win sets up a home tie in the next round against Peche Hill II who narrowly beat Hastings APF 2-1 yesterday.

This Saturday we entertain Hastings Rangers at the Rec.
With injuries and unavailabilty I know how Alex Fergusson feels, but the wonderful thing about our club is the deep support we have from a great number of talented players who are waiting in the shadows for their opportunity.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Sat 22/10/2005

BBFC Site Update

Well done everyone for our first ever cup win. Everything is now updated, with the relevant stats, reports, pictures and player profiles.
Follow the link or go through the pictures section to see pictures from today's game. Click Here.

Posted by: Steve Mumford

Thur 20/10/2005

Team To Play Wadhurst III - Sat 22nd Sept. - Home - KO 2:30pm

Simon Cutler

Owen Davies, Gary Wenham, Gary Williams, Darrell Hartley

Dave Mills, Mike Gould, Andy Mills(c), Pete Cooper

Gary Walsh, Adam Johnson

Subs: Steve Mumford, Paul Ford, Adrian Gaylon, Ian Nunn, Doug Morris.

Meet at the Rec at 1:30pm (latest).

WE'RE GOING TO WIN THE CUP!!!

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Mon 17/10/2005

SQUAD TO PLAY WADHURST III - Sat 22nd Oct. - Home KO 2:30pm
(Hastings FA Lower Divisions Cup)

Note the 2:30pm KO

Simon Cutler, Ian Nunn, Owen Davies, Doug Morris, Darrell Hartley, Gary Wenham, Gary Williams, Paul Ford, Steve Mumford, Ollie Jeffs, Adrian Gaylon, Mike Gould, Dave Mills, Andy Mills, Pete Cooper, Adam Johnson, Gary Walsh, Iain Henning.

The final 16-man squad will be posted by Thursday night, following training on Wednesday.

Pete Cooper returns to the squad this week after missing last week's game against Hawkhurst.

The hope is that Simon Cutler may declare himself fit to play in goal, if he comes through Wednesday's fitness test.
Adrian Gaylon will also give his (calf muscle) injury a good work out on Wednesday and also hopes to be fit to play.

Loksan is the only person missing from last week's team squad, not because of his elbow injury but because he's been called up to the East Sussex schoolboy's Under-17s tour of China and will be away for 2 weeks.(Fib)

This is a cup competition that we have a good chance of winning. It's for teams in Divisions 4, 5 and 6.
But let's not get carried away just yet...we haven't yet won a cup match so even a one game cup run would be an achievement!!!

We can be confident though because we have a very strong squad and we did well against Wadhurst last year when we were in Division 5. Wadhurst are still in Div 5 and lost last Saturday 3-0 to Robertsbridge.
Playing like we did in the first and last 15 mins of the game last Saturday will undoubtedly secure our first cup win.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Sat 15/10/2005

BBFC Site Update

Really sorry for the lack of updates of the last couple of weeks, I have been suffering with computer gremlins. Everything is now updated, with the relevant stats, reports, pictures and player profiles.
Although the pictures of today's game will not be up till midweek, follow the link or go through the pictures section to see pictures from our games at Red Lion and Orington. Click Here.

Posted by: Steve Mumford

Thur 13/10/2005

Team To Face Hawkhurst - Sat 15th Sept. - Home

Ian Nunn

Owen Davies Doug Morris Gary Williams Darrell Hartley

Loksan Harley Dave Mills Andy Mills(c) Paul Ford

Gary Walsh Adam Johnson

Subs: Steve Mumford, Iain Henning, Adrian Gaylon, Mike Gould, Gary Wenham.

Meet at the Rec at 2pm (latest). With Dom and Luke out a new forward line takes to the field with the experienced Gary Walsh partnering the returning Adam Johnson. This game presents us with a perfect opportunity to get back on track after two games without a win and a poor outing last weekend.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Sun 09/10/2005

SQUAD TO PLAY HAWKHURST- Sat 15th Oct. - Home KO 3pm

Ian Nunn, Owen Davies, Doug Morris, Darrell Hartley, Gary Wenham, Gary Williams, Paul Ford, Richard Ahsam, Steve Mumford, Ollie Jeffs, Adrian Gaylon, Mike Gould, Dave Mills, Andy Mills, Loksan Harley, Gary Walsh, Dom Fowler, Luke Graham, Iain Henning, Carlos Martella.

The final 16-man squad will be posted by Thursday night, following training on Wednesday.

We welcome 3 new players to the sqaud this week. Adrian Gaylon signed on for us during training early in the summer then pulled his calf muscle in the first friendly game against Northiam. Adrain is a utility player having gained experience playing both in defence and attack.

Mike Gould is returning to fitness and knows how to play football at a high level. He is a skillful and crafty midfield player who has also played sweeper in his time at Claverham with Owen, Stuart and Gary.

Carlos may also be available this week. He has looked very strong during training over the last 3 weeks but his long term availability is doubtful as he has a trip planned to Brazil coming up.

Pete Cooper is not available this week as he takes a group of young Christians away for the weekend. Also to be confirmed is the fitness of Dominic (ankle) and Loksan (elbow).

A more positive note, however, is the news that Simon Cutler (goal keeper) hopes to begin training again on Wednesday after suffering a twisted knee about 8 weeks ago. This will release Gary Walsh to play outfield. Gary came through 2 games this weekend suffering no ill effects from his thigh and groin injury and is almost certain to feature in attack next weekend.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Sat/08/2005

Orington 4-0 BBFC

A day we'll be keen to forget about! We didn't really turn up to play today.
Yet there are some good lessons to learn from today's game and if we learn them we'll grow to be a stronger side.

The blustery conditions, the lack of time to properly prepare, niggly injuries...we can make excuses but the fact is that Orington wanted to win more than we did. We worked so industriously to earn a point away at Red Lion on the previous Saturday but in this game, although each player will feel like they made an effort, we looked more like 11 players than a team unit.

Now it's a great test of our character to see how we react. In good times it's easy to stick together and show great team spirit. It's just as important that when times are hard we stick together and support each other.

Next week against Hawkhurst we have an opportunity to show that we have learned from this week and bounce back with a truely spirited performance.

The squad for this game will be posted by Monday evening.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Thur 06/10/2005

STOP PRESS

On Saturday, if you are going straight to the game, you will need to call me to let me know. So far I've heard from only Gary Williams and Gary Wenham.

Orington use the EASTERN changing rooms at the other end to the ones we are accustomed to using at Bulverhythe.
That's the old changing rooms at the Hastings end.

You need to be there at 1:45 absolute latest. We have shaved 15 minutes off our usual meeting time so we don't want to be waiting around at the church or at the ground for someone who is late. Please be on time.

Remember: 1:20pm at the church in Battle
Or 1:45pm at Eastern Bulverhythe (but let me know you're going straight there).

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Thur 05/10/2005

TEAM TO PLAY ORINGTON - Sat 8th Oct. - Away - KO 2:30pm

Meet at Church Car Park at 1:20pm Prompt.
If you are going straight to Bexhill Road, Bulverhythe, you MUST let me know so that we aren't waiting for you in Battle. Be there by 1:45pm latest.

The team is unchanged from the one that started against Red Lion.

Gary Walsh, Owen Davies, Doug Morris, Gary Williams, Darrell Hartley, Dave Mills, Pete Cooper, Andy Mills, Loksan Harley, Dom Fowler, Luke Graham.

SUBS: Ian Nunn, Gary Wenham, Iain Henning, Richard Ahsam, Steve Mumford.

There has been some confusion over the KO time because original fixtures indicated a 2pm KO.
However, the opposition and the referree have all confirmed that the KO will be 2:30pm

Hopefully the game will finish in normal time so that we can get away to see the England match straight afterwards.

This game is the first round of the Hastings FA Junior Challenge Cup sponsored by Wisden's. Any team in the East Sussex Football League who plays Junior football can enter - that's any team upto and including Division 1.

We need to impose ourselves quickly in Saturday's game. Orington will come out all guns blazing in an attempt to knock us off balance. We must be up to the challenge, defending as well as we did last Saturday and attacking with more punch.

We are all praying that God will shine on us and we will play well, deserving our first cup tie victory for the club.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Sun 02/10/2005

SQUAD TO PLAY ORINGTON - Sat 8th Oct. - Away - Bulverhythe Pitch 5
Note the KO time is 2pm.

Ian Nunn, Gary Walsh, Owen Davies, Doug Morris, Darrell Hartley, Gary Wenham, Gary Williams, Pete Cooper, Richard Ahsam, Steve Mumford, Ollie Jeffs, Dave Mills, Andy Mills, Loksan Harley, Tom Frere-Smith, Dom Fowler, Luke Graham, Iain Henning.

The final 16-man squad will be posted by Thursday night, following training on Wednesday.

NOTE THE EARLIER KO. This is because we are playing in the Hastings FA Junior Cup and the possibility of extra time has to be built in.
After our great start to the season and the fabulous way we ground out a result at Red Lion on Saturday, we should be confident of winning our first ever cup game since joining the ESFL.
Orington are a new team, formed this year and they play in Division 6 where they have a symmetrical record of having won 2 drawn 1 and lost 2 in their 5 games so far.

However, our experience of cup ties last year suggests that we'd be unwise to underestimate them. Remember we played Peche Hill and Tackleway, both in Div 6 and lost on both occasions.
Orington will be keen to beat a side in a higher Divison (remember our enthusiasm to beat Old Hastonians at Xmas last year).

We know nothing of our opponents, but they have been involved in some very high scoring games (6-4, 5-4, 3-3). This suggests that they have goalscorers that will test our strong defence again. It also gives our forwards much encouragement.

There's a rumour that Tom may be available for this game although I've yet to have this confirmed. If we are able to raise our game like we did yesterday, and avoid complacency we should be celebrating our passage through to the second round and a home tie against either Hillcrest (Div 2) or favourites Hollington II (Div 1).

See you at training on Wednesday - back to normal - 6:30pm to 8

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Sun 02/10/2005

RED LION 1-1 BBFC

The best performance of the season so far!!!
Red Lion are an excellent attacking side and we had to work hard all afternoon to get this point.
Playing to an agreed tactical strategy, every member of the team played their heart out and we were rewarded when Pete Cooper volleyed home an Owen Davies corner in the 69th minute.
Red Lion went ahead in the 10th minute when Val Cheang, who didn't feature in last year's fixtures because of a terrible car crash, unleashed a shot from 30 yards that flew into the top corner...Not much that the defence could have done to stop it. The fact that Val didn't score again is testimony to the stout defending of the whole team, front to back. With other skillful teammates to support him, Val is sure to score lots of goals this season...just look out for his name in the paper.
We may not be top of the Division now, but we still have a zero in the 'games lost' column and we've only conceded 2 goals in 4 games.
We can be very encouraged by this brilliant performance!!!
Congratulations to everyone.

Posted by: bbfcmanager