Sat 30/09/2006
BBFC I 2-1 E'BOURNE DYNAMOS
Well Done to everyone who contributed to today's game!
A great win takes us up to sixth place in the Division. Goals from Gary Walsh and Pete Cooper were enough to see off Dynamos ...but for lots of squandered opportunities it could have been much much more comfortable.
At 2-0 Pete Cooper hit the bar and in the second half Gary Walsh missed 4 golden chances to sink the visitors and Dom Fowler hit another great chance wide.
The 3 points are a great boost as we approach October with only 2 League games to play.
Next week's derby cup fixture against Battle Rangers is mouthwatering with Rangers upbeat from a good start to the season. They will be stiff opposition. With the return of Tom Frere-Smith, Simon Hockley, Gary Wenham, Owen Davies and Dale Scowen I have a proper selection headache but it's a great headache to have!
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Thur 28/09/2006
TOM UNAVAILABLE
Tom left a message tonight to say that he can't play this weekend.
This gives a welcome opportunity for Dominic to partner Gary up front. Dom has a similar playing style to Tom in that he's nippy and thrives on playing off a target centre forward. Dom played really well in the Cranbrook game, coming from the bench to play in the last 15 minutes. He gave the forward line extra vitality and his contribution helped the team to secure the win.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Tues 26/09/2006
PAUL'S STAG NIGHT
...is on the 7th October
Chris Mammone is organising a meal at Cosmo's in Hastings in the evening and wants to invite Paul's footballing friends.
Chris MUST pay a deposit to the restaurant by THURSDAY so he needs to know by then if you want to go.
Contact him direct by phone or at mammonechris@hotmail.com...but don't hang around...do it NOW!!!
Alternatively, tell Chris at training on Wednesday
...and spread the word to those that are unlikely to find out in time.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Mon 25/09/2006
WEDNESDAY TRAINING
...is back to normal at the Rec this week, but please be prompt at 6:30pm because we only have about 80 mins before the light fades.
This will be the last week at the rec before we move to floodlit training at Claverham Community College...Still 6:30 but bring trainers.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Mon 25/09/2006
SETBACK FOR STUART
Stuart Batchelor suffered a setback in his determined efforts to return to football following a broken leg.
He has a hair line fracture on his fibia well below the original break. He has his leg in a cast again.
Stu returned to training 4 weeks ago and came on as sub for our opening 1st team fixture against Little Common. He then played for the veteran's team on the following Wednesday. However, he retired towards the end of the game complaining of soreness around his shin. He sugggests that the hard ground may have contributed to this latest injury.
Stuart is always brave and optimistic and he remains upbeat about this latest mishap. He has an appointment at the hospital a week on Wednesday to determine progress.
Your prayers for Stuart and his leg would be appreciated.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sun 24/09/2006
OCTOBER FIXTURES
The ESFL Website now shows all the fixtures for October.
The firsts start on the 7th with a Battle derby against Rangers in the Hastings FA Junior Cup. After that it's Magham Down away on the 14th followed by a week off to celebrate Paul's wedding (Sat. 21st). The last game (28th) is at home to Hastings Rangers.
The second team travel to Hastings Elite (7th) but I can't find a fixture on the 14th (don't assume we haven't got a game!). Did I mention that it's Paul's wedding on the 21st? - no fixture! ... And that leaves the 28th and a trip to Cinque Ports in the Hastings FA Lower Divisions Cup.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOUR MANAGER NEEDS TO KNOW ASAP WHEN YOU AREN'T AVAILABLE ON ANY DATE...don't wait until the week comes around!!!
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Fri 22/09/2006
BBFC IN THE PAPER
There's a great picture of the second team in today's Battle Observer and match reports for 1sts and 2nds on the back page.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Fri 22/09/2006
CUTLER REGISTERED FOR SATURDAY
Following the setback of Tim's broken hand, Gary Wenham has worked hard to get Simon Cutler signed on in time for Saturday's second team game against White Knight at Claverham.
Simon played the whole of last season and was a key part of the successful promotion team. We ended the season with the best defensive record in the Division, only letting in 32 goals. After the disappointment of Tim's injury, it's just the boost that we need in preparation for Saturday's match.
The first team not playing so the seconds can be assured of great support from the touchline.
I'm pleased that Steve has resisted the temptation to put first team players into the starting team, and placed faith in the those who've been patient and loyal, both on Saturdays and Wednesdays. It's a tough job to pick a side when you have an abundance of great players. We will all have our own ideas as to who should play, but let's really get behind our team with total commitment and make it like a proper home game with 100% positive encouragement. That's what we signed up to at Battle Baptist Footbal Club.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Thur 21/09/2006
WELL DONE VETERANS
Gary Wenham asked me to say a big thanks to all those players who turned out to play for our vetetrans team over the last 3 Wednesdays.
We may not have won any of the games but we've had a great time and we'll be back for another bite at the cherry next year...God permitting.
We want to especially thank Tom Bristow-Diamond (Catsfield), Tony Elliot (Battle Rangers), and Ray Wynne-Penny (Icklesham). It was a real pleasure to play along side blokes from other football clubs.
In our latest game we came second to a Wadhurst team who came to the rec having already comfortably beaten the 2 sides that had beaten us. When they scored after 5 minutes, they might have expected a walkover but our visitors were stunned by a Gary Walsh equaliser in our very first attack.
We defended very well until the flood gates opened in the last 20 minutes when our legs eventually ran out of energy. However, we did have the last word when Ray Wynne-Penny struck our second with 5 minutes left.
Well done fellas...rest your legs now until next September.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Thur 21/09/2006
PRAYERS FOR TIM
In a freak accident involving a telephone box, Tim Nunn broke his hand this Wednesday and is likely to be out for 4-6 weeks, unless we give this matter some big prayer.
Having worked hard during the last 6 weeks to develop his goalkeeping skills, he must be disappointed to have to sit on the sidelines.
Please pray that the bones heal very quickly and that Tim is not a bit discouraged by his injury. For the sake of Tim AND the Football Club we want to see him back as soon as possible.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Mon 18/09/2006
Training Update
Contrary to popular belief, and my message yesterday, training will NOT BE AT THE REC ON WEDNESDAY. This is because someone has decided to put a fair there until the weekend.
We will meet at Claverham at 6.30 instead. Please be aware it is not yet sorted whether we will be on grass or hardcourt so please bring boots and trainers.
Posted by: Steve Mumford
Sun 17/09/2006
Weekend Update
Lots of updates to the website, with some new pictures from the Seconds v Beulah match in the last game section of the picture gallery. All player stats and match reports are in as well.
Regarding the Second team yesterday, although we lost 4-1 I think anyone who was there will agree that that was an unjust and misleading scoreline. The first half was about as even as a game can get and the only difference was Beulah took their chances and defending well to limit ours.
I was so proud of the manner in which we played. Some of the play from our opponents was provocative and dangerous at times and while we got no protection from the referee we did so well to hold-in our frustrations. The language and behaviour from Beulah was a discredit to the name of their team and it was pleasing to observe the contrast between us.
Regarding the play itself, the formation was changed slightly when we realised Rafa could not join us and Zac did well coming in and playing upfront alongside Jake. We certainly deserved more than the one goal we scored and the two goals we conceded in the second half were down to tired defending more than anything else.
Although we played as a team I would like to single out a couple of individual performances. Chris Mammone and Gary Williams really got stuck in where it hurts and Gary especially kept their main target man under control with some fearless and committed defending. In midfield, Matt Lee worked very hard and despite constant niggling and fouling by the Beulah No.2 he rose above it and put it a solid showing, while Ollie Jeffs did really well when he came on, having a good shot and winning in the air against some much taller men. Josh Mullett was my man-of-the-match though with a performance full of running and heart. Asked to do a job in midfield and upfront, he kept going all game and was unlucky not to score on at least two occassions. When he chased a lost cause into the corner in the 87th minute to make sure Beulah had to take a throw-in by their corner flag rather than complete a comfortable clearance he typified his overall performance in one passage of play.
Another mention must go to Alan Anderton. Alan had come along to be the first-aider but when the ref had not turned up by 3pm Alan offered to step in and referee the game. We were all set to kick off before the ref eventually did show but it was a great gesture by Alan and one we all really appreciated.
Next week we have a big game against bottom of the table White Knight. The first team do not have a game so we have all 48 players to pick from for this encounter! I will resist changing things greatly but do not be surprised if a few experienced faces are in the side next week.
On the subject of team selection, I would like to give my thanks to those that have been patient and are still coming and supporting their side even though they have not been given much game time recently. I can assure you myself, Richard and Ian have been talking about how we can give more people a chance to prove themselves and I would like to think that over the next month everyone in the squad and on the fringes would have been given a fair go. Whilst I can make no promises, my intention is that everyone who hasn't already will start a game soon. No-one has a guaranteed spot and when someone is not available this creates an opportunity for someone else to come in and stake their claim. We have a long season ahead of us so please be prepared to do your bit when called upon.
Posted by: Steve Mumford
Thur 14/09/2006
Training Yesterday
My apologies for the farce that was training yesterday. A mixture of the weather and mis-communication with Claverham made for a very disappointing session.
To those that came (all 28 of you mad people) we will look to make it up to you next week. To the two new lads who came from Horam, sorry I did not remember your names but please feel free to join us next time.
Posted by: Steve Mumford
Tue 12/09/2006
Training Update
Please be aware that training will be at Claverham tomorrow (still on grass) and next week as the Veterans are playing at the rec.
Usual time to start and we will play until it gets dark.
Posted by: Steve Mumford