Battle Baptist Football Club

News

Sun 27/11/2005

CRYSTAL PALACE IS OFF

I received confirmation from Steve Mumford yesterday that the game against Crystal Palace and Chelsea Reserves has been postponed until April. Sorry!
We will be arranging another date in the New Year when we will go up on a Wednesday night to watch a reserve team game.

In the meantime, let's look forward to the Christmas Dinner. There is plenty of space for family or friends to be invited so please ask them. I need to give numbers to Margaret this Saturday so let me know if you are inviting others.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Sun 27/11/2005

SQUAD TO PLAY St.HELENS - Sat 3rd Dec. - HOME KO 2pm

Simon Cutler, Owen Davies, Gary Wenham, Doug Morris, Gary Williams, Paul Ford, Pete Cooper, Ollie Jeffs, Adrian Gaylon, Richard Ahsam, Andy Mills, Loksan Harley, Gary Walsh, Mike Gould, Dominic Fowler, Stuart Calderwood, Iain Henning, Chris Mammone, Steve Chapman, Luke Graham.

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

Injury Doubtfuls:Gary Wenham, Doug Morris, Adrian Gaylon, Stuart Calderwood.

Another brilliant defensive performance yesterday was the chief factor in our win. Throughout a period when we were under the cosh, our defence held strong, only being broken by a very good header.
Whilever we don't concede goals we are always in with a chance of scoring and winning the game. So it proved yesterday.

Battered and bruised from the Peche Hill game, we will pick ourselves up again and prepare for the next game against a St Helens side who also have a good defensive record.
Changes will undoubtedly be forced upon us but we must see to what extent muscles and tendons will be rejuvinated during the week.

Please let me know IMMEDIATELY if you cannot play in ANY of the fixtures on 3rd, 10th and 17th December.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Sun 27/11/2005

SAD NEWS ABOUT DAVE

The news is bad. Dave suffered a hair line fracture of his ankle in yesterday's 2-1 win against Peche Hill. He will not be able to play for 6-8 weeks.
Many will know that Dave shared the award last season for the Player with Most Appearances. His tough non-compromising tackling and marathon runs down the right wing (not to mention his 4 goals) have made Dave an ever-present this year, and his name is always one of the first onto the teamsheet. We will miss him greatly.

Needless to say that Dave deserves all the prayer you can give him in the weeks to come. Firstly pray that Dave's ankle repairs quickly and that he will return sooner than the doctors will be expecting. Secondly pray for his attitude of mind...we all understand how frustrating it is not to be able to take an active part. Finally don't forget that Dave has a job for the Lord and we should pray that he may continue to do his work without being hampered.

I know Dave would want us to remain positive. These unpleasant accidents have reason and purpose beyond the understanding of us earthlings. Trust that our maker knows the plan for Dave and for Battle Baptist FC - even if we find it hard to bear.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Sun 27/11/2005

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Sat 26/11/2005

BBFC 2-1 Peche Hill II

We're in the last 8 of the Lower Divisions Cup thanks to a spirited performance from a bold BBFC team.

Dominic opened the scoring in the first half when a corner on the right was well met by Gary Walsh. The ball was stopped on the goal-line only for Dom to force it home from 2 yards.

As last week we had to endure intense pressure for most of the rest of the first half. Peche Hill skillfully passed the ball around with great effect on a wet and boobly pitch, but once again we defended brilliantly to prevent Peche Hill from scoring. On the one occasion that the defence was breached, Simon Cutler dived effectively to save a mediocre shot.

Peche Hill equalised 15 minutes into the 2nd half when a corner was headed at the near post. Paul valliantly tried to to stop it but headed it up onto the cross bar and into the net.

Then as Peche Hill started to look favourites, Iain Henning earned a free kick which was poorly headed upwards by a defender and as it came down Gary Walsh measured a looping winner over the head of the stranded keeper.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Fri 25/11/2005

DECEMBER FIXTURES

It looks like a stiff December with tough games against the two form teams in Division 4 and a K&P Cup Quarter-final against the team at the top of Division 3. The full details are:

Dec 3rd St Helens (home) KO 2pm
Dec 10th Herstmonceux (home) - K&P Motoring World Challenge Cup 1/4 final KO 1:30pm
Dec 17th Hastings II (away) KO 2pm

Let me know IMMEDIATELY if you aren't available for any of these dates.
There are no League or Cup fixtures on either Saturday Christmas Eve (24th)or New Year's Eve (31st).

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Thur 24/11/2005

STOP PRESS - TEAM NEWS

Mike Gould contacted me today to say that he has a hamstring injury and cannot play on Saturday. See new team below with Dominic starting in his place!

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Wed 23/11/2005

Team To Play PECHE HILL II - Sat 26th Nov. - Home - KO 1:30pm

1.Simon Cutler

2.Owen Davies, 6.Gary Williams, 5.Gary Wenham, 3.Paul Ford

11.Dave Mills, 4.Adrian Gaylon, 7.Andy Mills(c), 8.Loksan Harley

9.Gary Walsh, 10.Dominic Fowler,

Subs: 12.Doug Morris, 13., 14.Chris Mammone, 15.Iain Henning, 16.Richard Ahsam.

MEET AT THE REC AT 12:30PM LATEST.
The early KO is in case extra time and penalties are needed.
I will be at the rec at 12pm to put up the nets and prepare the pitch. Volunteer helpers would be very much appreciated.

This week, I've been doing a lot of thinking, a lot of listening and a lot of praying about aspects of Battle Baptist Football Club. A soothing hot bath after training tonight has further helped me to think through the selection for Saturday.

With the exception of one change, (that's Loksan coming in to the left-hand side of midfield for the unavailable Pete Cooper), we are blessed to be keeping the same team that played against Battle Rangers last week.
Loksan looked sharp in training tonight and will aim to recapture some of his early season form, when he hugged the touchline against Bodiam and Northiam, giving the team lots of width when attacking. Loksan has the speed and skills to beat defenders with the ball at his feet. His aim will be to play like a winger stretching the Peche Hill defence open and getting plenty of crosses in from the left side.

Another who showed great form in training tonight was Chris Mammone who I pray can be pursuaded to come back this week. Chris must have been very disappointed not to play last week (for the second week running) when sub against Battle Rangers. (Please forgive me Chris...I heartily value your contribution and enthusiasm for the Club).

Last week I wasn't very pleased with my own performance on the pitch and I attribute this, to some degree, on the distraction of having to manage the team's performance whilst on the pitch. Consequently I've asked Richard to help me this week by calling the shots from the touchline. I trust Richard to interpret the match and make appropriate substitutions. This will allow me to concentrate whole-heartedly on my own game. (No excuses then for me this week!!)

I dearly want the team to do well in the Lower Divisions Cup, because I believe that we have a good chance of a Cup Final. We have a strong team and we are accustomed to playing a higher standard of football on a weekly basis than our opposition. But we know from past experiences that teams in Lower Divisions will raise their game to play well against us.
Therefore, we also need to raise OUR game and be prepared for a competitive match. I believe that teams who win Knockout Competitions treat EVERY tie like it's the Final itself! This should be our approach to Saturday's game.

Look at the Division 4 table and you will see that, just as last season, we have one of the meanest defences, having only conceded 11 goals in 8 games. This gives the team a confidence which forms the basis of our success. We know all about the 2 targets that we strive for each week. Let's go for them both on Saturday and aim go through to the next round with a 3-0 win.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Tues 22/11/2005

CHRISTMAS PARTY

I need to know if you will be coming to the Christmas dinner on Sat. 17th Dec. (7pm for 7:30pm start)

We have booked the Memorial Hall for a full Christmas meal with Turkey, trimmings, Xmas pud and drink...all for about Ł10...not to be missed!!
There will also be entertainment for your satisfaction.

Please let me know how many tickets you will need. I'll take names at training and at the game on Saturday. You don't need to pay yet, we just need to know numbers so we can start to plan the food.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Sun 13/11/2005

SQUAD TO PLAY PECHE HILL - Sat 26th Nov. - HOME KO 1:30pm

Simon Cutler, Owen Davies, Gary Wenham, Doug Morris, Gary Williams, Paul Ford, Ollie Jeffs, Adrian Gaylon, Richard Ahsam, Dave Mills, Andy Mills, Loksan Harley, Gary Walsh, Mike Gould, Dominic Fowler, Stuart Calderwood, Iain Henning.

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

After yesterday's thrilling 2-2 draw with Battle Rangers, next week's game is the big one. This is the 2nd round of the Hastings Lower Divisions Cup. We have a great chance of doing well in this competition and need all the support we can get. With lots of players unavailable or still injured, the role of the substitutes is crutial for the success of the team.

Last season we lost to Div 6 side Peche Hill in a cup competition and no doubt they will be keen to beat us again.

However, we are playing with great spirit and determination at the moment. Complacency is our strongest enemy.

See you at training on Wednesday.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Thur 10/11/2005

Team To Play BATTLE RANGERS - Sat 12th Nov. - Away - KO 2pm

1.Simon Cutler

2.Owen Davies, 6.Doug Morris, 5.Gary Wenham, 3.Paul Ford

11.Dave Mills, 4.Adrian Gaylon, 7.Andy Mills(c), 8.Pete Cooper

9.Gary Walsh, 10.Mike Gould,

Subs: 12.Chris Mammone, 13.Richard Ahsam, 14.Loksan Harley, 15.Gary Williams, 16.Darrell Hartley.

It's an away game officially but of course, we're playing on Battle Rec.
We will meet at the Rec by 1pm(latest).
Remember to get changed in the away dressing room. I, for one, will be pleased not to have any duties on match day like putting up or getting down the nets.

For the first time this season, we keep exactly the same starting 11 as played last week, the only changes being on the subs bench. It was such a strong, hard-working and determined performance last week that all these players have earned their starting place.

With Gary Wenham and Doug playing well at the moment, there's no place at the start for Gary Williams. Luke isn't available this week. Dominic and Adam are still resting injuries.

The weather has been kinder this week and the pitch will have dried. However, the surface will be as unpredictable as last week and with a frost on Friday night may be even more unreliable. We must prepare to adapt to whatever we ifnd on saturday.

This is our first opportunity of a double and Rangers will no doubt want to avenge their earlier defeat. They are a hardworking team who never give up. It took until half way through the second half of the first game before we looked comfortable winners. It will be another tough game which we will need to be fully committed to.

Strong and patient tackling, industrious tracking and simple defending are needed. Plus more goals than our opponents!!!

Another brilliant game to look forward to.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Tues 15/11/2005

BBFC XMAS SOCIAL - Change of Date

It appears that there's no room at the inn. We've tried to book a venue in Battle for the 10th Dec but everywhere is already booked. However the following Saturday IS free so we've booked the room behind the Memmorial Hall in Battle.
Sorry to mess everyone about but please change the date in your diary to:

*** SAT. 17TH DECEMBER - CHRISTMAS FOOTBALL CLUB CELEBRATION ***
*** 7pm for 7:30pm sit down to eat ***

Everyone is invited to come...players, members, social members, partners etc etc...anyone with an interest in BBFC.
We looked at going to a restaurant in Hastings but discovered that (around Xmas) the prices were exorbitant (about Ł25 per head).
Clive and Margaret are arranging a full 3-course Xmas Meal with roast turkey, Xmas pudding, glass of wine and the lot!!!...at a breathtaking cost of about Ł10. We hope this will encourage lots of people to enjoy a great night out.

There will also be some great entertainment (to be finalised). This will probably include a lively disco, table team quiz, and embarrassing party games (hopefully of the non-contortionist variety).

Put it in your diary right now...and watch this space for further details.

Posted by: BBFCmanager

Sun 13/11/2005

SQUAD TO PLAY BATTLE RANGERS - Sat 19th Nov. - 'Away' KO 2pm

Simon Cutler, Owen Davies, Gary Wenham, Doug Morris, Gary Williams, Paul Ford, Darrell Hartley, Chris Mammone, Ollie Jeffs, Adrian Gaylon, Richard Ahsam, Dave Mills, Andy Mills, Pete Cooper, Loksan Harley, Gary Walsh, Mike Gould, Luke Graham, Iain Henning, Carlos Martello, Stuart Calderwood.

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

Internet access at home is working at the moment. I pray that the gremlins are gone.

What a weekend. Not only did Michael Owen head us to victory against Argentina but we scored 4 goals against a bullish Old Cents side without conceding a goal.

I've often said that if we hit one of the 2 targets (ie score 3 goals and concede none) then there's a good chance we win the match. But I shouldn't think there'll be too many weekends when we achieve both. So congratulations to everyone involved.

Bring on Battle Rangers. They have suffered some heavy defeats recently and having already beaten them once this season, we have the upper hand.

However, 3 things make me believe that this will be a very tough game with a close scoreline at the end. Firstly, Rangers think that the differnce between the teams when we beat them 3-1 was Tom Frere-Smith. They will believe that we are not as good without him. (Huh...they will be shocked if we play like we played this weekend!!)

Secondly, although they aren't winning, Rangers are still scoring goals. We mustn't be complacent in believing that they can't hurt us.

The third thing that makes me think that the game will be close is that the pitch conditions are poor. This can be a leveller, and often brings two sides of different abilities closer together. Yesterday we adapted really well to the difficult ground conditions and if we do this next week, this won't be a problem for us.

It's a mouthwatering contest that gives us the first opportunity of the season to complete a double over a side in Division 4. A win will also give us confidence going into our all-important Lower Divisons Cup tie against Peche Hill the following week...

...I can't wait for the weekend to start.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Sun 13/11/2005

BBFC Site Update

I am sorry to report the mssageboard was corrupted by some annoying computer hackers who targeted the older version of software we were using.
Therefore it has had to be re-installed with the latest security updates available. As a result we have lost everyone's usernames and login.
Please take two minutes to re-register using the link here Messageboard

Posted by: Steve Mumford

Thur 10/11/2005

Team To Play Old Centmodians - Sat 12th Nov. - Home- KO 2pm

1.Simon Cutler

2.Owen Davies, 6.Doug Morris, 5.Gary Wenham, 3.Paul Ford

11.Dave Mills, 4.Adrian Gaylon, 7.Andy Mills(c), 8.Pete Cooper

9.Gary Walsh, 10.Mike Gould,

Subs: 12.Ollie Jeffs, 13.Richard Ahsam, 14.Luke Graham, 15.Loksan Harley, 16.Ian Nunn.

Throughout the winter months, normal league games kick off at 2pm.
We will meet at the Rec by 1pm(latest).

The weather forcast for Thursday and Friady is for more rain. Since the pitch is already carrying water, there is a chance the game will be called off.
I will inspect the pitch early Saturday. Because I'm offline at the moment I won't be able to post a message on the website, so I will contact you on the phone.

IF YOU HEAR NOTHING, THEN THE GAME IS ON!!!

If you are in any doubt give me a call at home.

All this weather means that we are in for an enjoyable game of football if we do play this Saturday.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Mon 08/11/2005

SQUAD TO PLAY OLD CENTMODIANS - Sat 12th Nov. - Home KO 2pm

Simon Cutler, Ian Nunn, Owen Davies, Gary Wenham, Doug Morris, Paul Ford, Ollie Jeffs, Adrian Gaylon, Richard Ahsam, Dave Mills, Andy Mills, Pete Cooper, Loksan Harley, Gary Walsh, Mike Gould, Iain Henning, Carlos Martello, Stuart Calderwood.

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

I have no internet access at home at the moment so this may slow up the posting of the team. I'll try to get it on the website for Thursday but please excuse me if it's not there until Friday.

The victory against Victoria Baptists last week has had a cost in that both Darrell and Dom withdrew from the squad early in the week through injury.
Adam Johnson is likely to be out for several weeks before he can play on his injured knee. Gary Williams and Steve Mumford are bot fit but not available this week.

There's no doubt that I would much rather that we win this coming Saturday than we won last week against Victoria (regardless of the manner of the victory). Our League points need boosting and with cup games sandwiching the defeat against Hastings Rangers it seems like we've been on 10 points for years.

Old Cents are below us in the League and had some great results at the start of the season. Since then they have dropped back and if we approach the game in a strong frame of mind this should be a game we win.
After Saturday's brilliant fightback, we can be confident that fitness and effort will pay off in the later stages of the game.

We will certainly need to be fit and strong because the pitch conditions at the Rec are very soft and in places boggy. We will need to think about the type of football we are able to play in these conditions and once again try to force defensive mistakes by getting the ball ealry into the opponent's penalty area.

Posted by: bbfcmanager

Fri 4/11/2005

Victoria Game Info

If you are going direct to the game tomorrow, the ground is the Old Town Rec, Longland Road, Eastbourne.
Follow the link for a map of the location, or use the directions below (taking Battle Abbey as a starting point) Map

Start out at Battle Abbey,East Sussex
Turn right onto High Street - A2100
At mini-roundabout bear right onto Lower Lake - A2100 (signposted Hastings)
Turn right onto Powdermill Lane (signposted Catsfield) Powdermill Lane
Turn left onto Powdermill Lane - B2204 (signposted Bexhill)
Continue forward onto The Green - B2204. Entering Catsfield
At T-junction turn left onto Bexhill Road - A269 (signposted Bexhill)
Turn right onto Lower Street - B2095 (signposted Hooe, Pevensey)
At T-junction turn right onto the A259 (signposted Lewes, Brighton)
At Pevensey Roundabout take the 3rd exit onto the A27 (signposted London A22, Brighton)
At roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A22 (signposted Eastbourne)
At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A22
At Shine Water Roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Highfield Link - A22 (signposted Town Centre)
At Lottbridge Roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Cross Levels Way - A2280 (signposted Town Centre)
At Broad Water Roundabout take the 1st exit onto Cross Levels Way - A2280
At roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A2280
At Rodmill Roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Rodmill Drive.
Turn left onto Willingdon Road - A2270
Turn right onto Eldon Road Eldon Road
Turn left onto Victoria Drive Victoria Drive
Turn right onto Northiam Road Northiam Road
Turn right onto Longland Road

Please also note I have updated the Club Info section so that the links are clearer for About the Club and Club Records

Posted by: Steve Mumford