Wed 26th Dec 2007
SHORTS AND SOCKS
...this is for anyone coming to play in the game on the Rec this Sat...2pm.
YOU'LL NEED TO BRING SOME SHORTS AND A PAIR OF SOCKS.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sun 23rd Dec 2007
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!!
...from everyone at Battle Baptist FC.
Last night we had a fantastic time at our Christmas Carvery Celebration. 'Thanks' to Granville, Coral and team for giving us another great meal at the Squirrel and a big thanks too to Richard for his 'entertaining' post meal Quiz.
This week there's no training on Wednesday but on Sat (29th) there will be a game of football on the Rec in Battle. Anyone can come. KO is 2pm so get there for 1:15pm so teams can be sorted and nets put up.
Next League games are on Jan 5th...check the TEAM NEWS to make sure we have your availability correct.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sun 16th Dec 2007
WHAT JOY!!!
I've believed for many weeks that one Saturday afternoon, the firsts would finally start to convert all the chances they're creating and our opponents that day would get a hiding...
..And yesterday it happened to Firehills. In the sunshine and cold at Bulverhythe we scored 7 goals. What Joy!
Today reminds us of the Joy we have in our lives as we light the 3rd candle of Advent, looking forward to Christmas, whilst next Saturday at the Squirrel when we enjoy our Christmas Carvery I'm certain that we'll experience even more joy. Please come.
Last year the food was sensational and everyone who went had a great time together. Arrangements are in place for a sound system and Rich & Ollie are providing entertainment and fun.
By Thursday I need to give final numbers to the Squirrel so please take the chance on Wednesday to buy your ticket. Bring a friend if you wish. Tickets are only £15 and I guarentee you'll get value for money.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sat 15th Dec 2007
1sts SET FIREHILS ALIGHT
Two goals each from Alan Cowley, Gary Walsh & Ian Rafiti together with a Tom Frere-Smith penalty produced a goalfest to beat Firehills at a mild-weathered Bulverhythe this afternoon.
Within 10 minutes, Cowley and Walsh opened up a two goal lead and it looked like being a comfortable afternoon for the Baptists until the plucky Firehills team came back to 2-2. The game looked evenly poised until Cowley and Walsh repeated their goalscoring double act to restore the 2 goal lead before half time.
After the break Ian Rafity scored twice in a five minute spell that put the result beyond doubt and Tom Frere-Smith earned and duly converted a penalty that rounded off a joyful afternoon. A further consolation goal for Firehills did nothing to dampen the Baptist's high spirits as the churchmen jump two positions in the League table.
Younster Adam Staplehurst continued to show years beyond his age, having a superb game at right-back, whilst Dale Scowen, in the starting line up for the first time since his injury, had a strong influence in the centre of midfield (and lasted 90 minutes to boot).
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Thurs 12th Dec 2007
CAN ANYONE HELP?
Our top goalscorer Tom Frere-Smith has car problems that mean that he can't get to the game on Saturday unless someone can pick him up.
He works on Saturday morning in South London coaching young kids in their football. He would need to be picked up at about 12 noon and driven down to Bexhill Road where we have an enormously important game against our relegation rivals Firehills.
I'm looking for a wonderfully kind volunteer to do this mission. Please contact me if you can help? email bbfcmanager@aol.com or call me at home or mobile.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sun 11th Dec 2007
CANDLE OF PEACE
For unto us a child is born,
To us a son is given,
And the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called ‘Wondederful Councillor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Today we light the second candle of Advent, a period of time when we build up to Christmas. The second candle represents PEACE.
In a time of greast darkness, God promised to send a light who would shine on everyone living in the shadow of death. This message of hope was fulfilled in the birth of Christ and the establishment of his eternal kingdom. He came to deliver all people from their slavery to sin.
Jesus is the Saviour who gives eternal life to anyone who invites him in.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sat 10th Dec 2007
AVAILABILITY
PLAYERS - check the TEAM NEWS section to make sure that I have your availability correct for Sat 15th December. Because of the postponement of games this weekend we have not seen you and I've guessed your availability based on what I know.
Contact me IMMEDIATELY if it's not right.
Remember to buy your TICKETS for the Xmas Carvery at Training on Wednesday.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sat 10th Dec 2007
WATCH HERE FOR NEWS
9:30am Sat
1sts Game v Hastings Rangers is OFF.
It's raining in Battle now and the forecast for today is heavy rain. The pitch will not recover and the fixture cannot be switched.
2nds Game v Sedlescombe was called OFF last night.
It's possibly a day for getting all your Xmas business out of the way. Or if someone would like to organise a sports hall to play 5 a-side, there are usually plenty of players. I'm happy for someone to organise this if they wish.
Remember to buy your TICKETS for the Xmas do at Training on Wednesday.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Thur 6th Dec 2007
WATCH HERE FOR NEWS
6:30pm Fri
2nds Game v Sedlescombe is OFF. Claverham declared the pitch unplayable and Sedlescombe is also waterlogged, even if their 1sts weren't due to play there.
1sts Game v Hastings Rangers is still ON at the moment. The Rec is currently very soft and has some small areas with standing water but another morning with good drying conditions might allow us to play tomorrow afternoon.
I'll inspect again in the morning.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Tues 4th Dec 2007
TICKETS ON SALE
The Club Christmas Carvery takes place at the Squirell Inn on Sat 22nd Dec.
Tickets are now on sale at training and at games ... £15 per head.
Last year's event was very succesful with the 55 tickets selling out and everyone enjoying loads of fabulous food and great entertainment.
Tickets can only be reserved with payment so don't miss out - get your seat booked quickly...partners are welcome!!
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sun 2nd Dec 2007
SPICER STRIKES ON ANNIVERSARY!!!
Today is the first day of advent and in thousands of Christian churches around the world the first of the candles will have been lit in the run up to Christmas.
This first candle represents HOPE and yesterday, exactly a year to the day since the car accident that left him with injuries that should have killed him, Steve Spicer scored his first goal for Battle Baptists. Praise God for Steve's life...it's a testimony that there is hope in ANY situation.
Steve went into trauma once more as his team mates engulfed him in a celebratory crush (no kisses!!!).
With just 15 minutes left in the game, Steve's goal put us 3-2 up and it looked as though the scene was set for him to be the focus of a great post match celebration.
But rather than steeling themselves for a battling 15 minutes, his team capitulated, conceding 2 goals and forfeiting the result to a jubillant Herstmonceux side who throughout the afternoon, never really looked like getting a win.
The fact that 'Ceux were in a position to win the game was largely due to some poor finishing by Battle earlier in the match, and one stunning first half equaliser which Dale Scowen in goal had no chance of saving.
The truth is that after a tentative first five minutes, the Baptists found their feet and played some great football. Ollie Jeffs, acting as captain for the day, put the home team ahead after about 20 minutes, finishing off a well-constructed left wing attack that ended when Tom Frere-Smith squared for Ollie to side foot his pass into an open net from the penalty spot. After Spicer's enthusiasm earned him a 'talking to' by the referee, he then jinxed his way through a bemused defence only to flunk his chance. On the right, Dave Sitch linked play very well, beating the full back and cutting in several juicy crosses which deserved a more fruitful outcome. Not to be outdone, Pete Cooper outpaced his opponent, scything a path down the left.
After the thumping equaliser, Battle recovered their initiative recovering the lead shortly before the break with a counter attack that ended in a Frere-Smith finish.
Within seconds of the restart 'Ceux were level again when the unmarked Chris Field took advantage of a sleepy defence side footing home from six yards. After Spicer's strike threatened to make the headlines, Battle conceded a third equaliser when Jon Brettany headed in directly from a corner before Tim Honeysett helped himself to the winner with a smartly struck shot from 18 yards.
Having conceded late goals to lose their last 2 games, the Baptists will cling to the hope that they can hang on to a lead and claw their way out of the danger zone in Division 2...there's always next week lads.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sun 2nd Dec 2007
Website Updates
Apologies for the length of time this has taken but all fixture details and players statistics are now fully updated for the firsts, with the fixture details done for the seconds.
I have also uploaded some new pictures of the seconds in action against Magham Down and Sandhurst (see last game pictures).
More information will be posted in the coming weeks as and when I receive it.
Posted by: Steve Mumford