Sun 25th Nov 2007
CLOSE CALL!
The Baptist side were firm underdogs in this Division 2 clash and were moments away from securing a point at Sports Park, but were cruelly denied when Wheatsheaf scored with just 2 minutes remaining.
Kicking downhill in the first half the Baptists took the lead when Alan Cowley struck a free kick from wide right on the half way line and Gary Walsh looped a strong header inside the right post from the edge on the area.
A strong run by captain for-the-day Dave Mills created space for Steve Spicer to extend the lead but although the striker kept a cool head, his shot slid agonisingly wide, to the relief of the Wheatsheaf defenders.
Battle’s lead held until shortly before half time when Max Stzyber was adjudged to have fouled his opponent inside the box and Ben Dain converted the resulting penalty.
Moments into the second half, Wheatsheaf went ahead as the speedy Godwin Dhiliwayo beat the offside trap and fired home. Further chances fell to the home team but each one was squandered. With 15 minutes left, Battle looked like they might take a point when Gary Walsh hit a free kick that took a deflection on its way into the net. Then in the dying seconds, after a succession of 5 consecutive well-crafted corners that were successfully defended, Wheatsheaf’s Lee St. Pierre headed in the winner from the sixth corner, leaving no time for a Baptist revival.
Wheatsheaf have still not been defeated this season and a draw would have given great encouragement for the endeavour that was shown by the young Baptist side.
Next week is a mouth-watering double fixture as both the 1sts and 2nds take on Herstmonceux in their respective divisions. The 1sts really can't afford to lose if they are to climb the table, whilst the 2nds will see this as a great opportunity to pull away from Herstmonceux.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Fri 16th Nov 2007 6:44pm
1sts GAME CANCELLED
Our game against Little Common tomorrow has been called off because the opposition can't get a team together.
This is mega disappointing - I for one was really looking forward to the rematch. I'm sure it would have been a great afternoon - the weather forcast is excellent and I've been anticipating the game all week.
However, spare a thought for Little Common who also will have players that want to play but can't. Last week they were well and truly beaten 9-0 by Northiam and I hope that this hasn't discouraged Little Common players from playing. Spare a prayer tonight for their team.
Usually in these circumstances we would be awarded the points and that's a good thing for us. I can't deny we'd welcome the points. But for me, I'd rather play tomorrow than sit out. Saturday afternoons are not the same without football.
The seconds are at home (Claverham) and would welcome your support. KO 2pm.
Next week we are away to Wheatsheaf (Willingdon) who are yet unbeaten in the League. Should be another great game.
Let me know (email, text, tel or pidgeon) if you are NOT available...I'll assume that you're available unless you contact me. (Ollie - are you away?)
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sat 10th Nov 2007
1sts CLIMB FIREHILL MOUNTAIN
BBFC 2-2 Firehill Seniors
Battle Baptists came back from 2-0 down at half time to claim a well-earned point and had a couple of late chances to take all three.
For the second week running Battle gave themselves a mountain to climb by conceding goals in the first half without scoring themeselves. The situation looked even more bleak as Tom F-S limped off injured after 20 minutes. He was replaced by Steve Spicer, playing for the first time since the car crash that seriously threatened his life a year ago.
Man of the Match Ian Rafiti ran his heart out for the Baptists, forging down the left wing and causing problems for the away side. Grant Lewes had a solid game in goal pulling off a brilliant save that kept his team in the game. His performance creates a selection dilemna for next week's return match against Little Common when Andy Poulter is expected to be recovered from flu.
Youngster Adam Staplehurst came on 15 minutes from time and his central midfield promising performance also gives selection flexibility.
Battle's bid to rescue the game began when Paul Ford smashed in their first goal from a naroow angle. Gary Walsh then finished cooly to equalise with ten minutes to go. As the Firehills defence tired, Ian Rafiti had a chane to wrep it up and shot wide in front of goal. The fairytale finish almost came true when Steve Spicer broke through the defence and narrowly missed.
Having narrowly missed out in close games previously, Battle will be pleased to get something out of this game, especially because it denied Firehills the three points that would take them further away in the league.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Thur 1st Nov 2007
A WINNING GAME PLAN
BBFC 4-5 Little Common
Last week...no goals...this week...nine.
Football can be cruel and yesterday shows it. I awoke Saturday morning with enormous optimism. We'd played great against Catsfield and White Knight at the top of the division, and Little Common had not won a game since their 5-3 win against Mayfield on Sept 15th. Win today and we'd leapfrog Little Common in the League.
By 2:45pm my mood was in reverse. 3-0 down at half time and wondering if it was possible to play any worse.
I didn't enjoy half time. The team talk showed my dismay and was a plea to go back to our agreed game plan. My players responded well. Defending more simply and attacking more frequently, the pressure payed off with an early goal that gave us great encouragement. But within minutes, another calamatous error made it 4-1. Again we scored and again we conceded within minutes. 5-2. Two more goals came our way but with just 5 minutes to go we ran out of time for the equaliser.
We can moan that the decisions didn't go our way. A penalty against us that was harsh to say the least. A stone wall penalty in our favour...not given.
However, that would be denial of the fact that our performance was substandard.
To the credit of our opponents, they took full advantage of our mistakes. That seems to be a recurring observation in games this season. Little Common were greatly encouraged by our generosity and grew in confidence. The game was lost because we didn't play our simple game plan in the first 45 minutes. It's the Smith-Smith plan. We didn't emply the services of John Smith and Tom Frere-Smith enough. After we put this right, we won the second half 4-2, even conceding 2 more goals.
A clear observation of our play is that when we play great teams we raise our game to that level and we, too are a great team. But what's also as clear as daylight is that all the teams we play at this level (good and bad) will punish our mistakes. Implementing a team plan is like having an extra player in the team.
I liken this to my faith in Jesus. God has a game plan for my life. When I turn away from that plan I find that things go wrong. But when I allow my life to be God centred, I'm never anything else but a winner.
Everyone has a chance to ask Jesus into their life, no matter how badly they've played in their life upto now...and thankfully, Battle Baptists have a chance also, to put things right next week against Firehills.
I invite players to email me with thier thoughts on Saturday's game.
Posted by: bbfcmanager