Sun 24th Feb 2008
1sts LOSE IN CUP SEMI
BBFC's great adventure in the Super Stitch 86 Challenge Cup came to an unfortunate end yesterday afternoon as they came second to a well organised Bexhill AAC team.
Two towering headers either side of half time from Bexhill centre half Jamie Brooks put the visiting team in the lead and a third late in the game sealed their way into the final.
In previous rounds, BBFC beat Hollington and Ticehurst both from Division 1 so they had every reason to believe that another upset was possible. Despite the rush of an earlier Kick Off time which had 4 players arriving in the nick of time, the team started strongly, matching Bexhill throughout the first half.
Battle even had an early opportunity to take an lead but the chance was missed. Later in the half, just moments before Bexhill opened the scoring Tom Frere-Smith found a way through the solid Bexhill defence but his goalbound shot was saved.
Bexhill enjoyed greater possession in the second half and the Baptists worked hard to stay in the game, defending stoutly until Brooks repeated his first half feat at another corner situation.
In a sporting and competitive game, clear chances were scarce and Battle were unfortunate not to score when Dale Scowen's clever free kick found Gary Walsh in the penalty area but his snap-shot was fired into the welcoming arms of the Bexhill keeper.
Bexhill's third goal sealed victory and left the scoreline looking comfortable for the favourites but Battle can take great comfort from thier keen performance.
The test for Battle players is to take what they have learned into the rest of the season, starting at home next week to bottom Division 2 side Mayfield.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sun 24th Feb 2008
KIT WASH PROBLEMS
Having just returned from a week's family holiday and been rushed through the airport on the way back, so that bbfcmanager could get back for 45 minutes of his prescious team, I was dismayed that no-one was prepared to volunteer to wash the kit on this one occasion.
The Walsh washing machine is busy and will NOT be washing the BBFC 1st team kit!!!
The kit will be wonderfully smelly by next Saturday - a real treat - unless some kind soul rescues it and gives it a wash.
Posted by: bbfcmanager's wife
Sat 23rd Feb 2008
Top Effort
Just wanted to say thanks to all the first team players for the effort and commitment they showed today. A few of them had to travel very long distances to make the game and their efforts were greatly appreciated.
The result may not have gone for us, but we were up against a side that was better than us and on the day deserved their win. We showed up well, particularly in the first half and can have our heads held high.
Apologies as always to those I had to take off and those who I did not get to put on - it is nothing personal!
Thanks again for the warm welcome to the first team, I will leave you in Gary's capable hands from now on.
Posted by: Steve Mumford
Sun 17th Feb 2008
Kick off at 1.30pm
Despite the best efforts of everyone at BBFC we have been unable to move the kick off. Bexhill AAC have refused to move half an hour to 2pm so the game will kick off at 1.30pm as originally scheduled.
I know this makes it very tight for a few of you so you must let me know your availability and any time constraints as soon as possible.
Posted by: Steve Mumford
Sat 16th Feb 2008
SUPER STITCH FINAL VENUE KNOWN
The Final of the Super Stitch 86 Challenge Cup will take place on Monday 14th April at Eastbourne Town FC's ground.
Sedlescome reached the final last weekend, beating Catsfield 4-1 and our first team will join them in the final if they can beat Bexhill Atheletic on the 23rd Feb.
Arrangements are in place for that game, and Steve Mumford will be in charge of preparing the team for the match. I've briefed Steve in detail and he will announce the team and squad on Wed night as usual on the site, once we know that everyone has come through fit.
I want to thank Bexhill AAC for putting the KO back half an hour to help our preparations...we're awaiting final confirmation of this and Steve Mumford will posta message as soon as it's firmed up.
Four out of the 9 available tables have already been secured for the BBFC Pub Quiz Night on Sat 8th March... Teams of 6 (max)...£12 per team...prizes...fun time...
Get your team together and contact Richard Ahsam - we anticipate that this event will fill up.
Sat 16th May...BBFC Presentation Evening and Dinner...High Beech Hotel...Pop/Jazz Band...£25 per ticket or £40 for two.
Be sure to put this one is your diary.
Finally please pray for our semi next week...several players are travelling back to play...pray for swift and safe journies...and pray also for another great BBFC performance like the one against White Knight.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sat 16th Feb 2008
FIRSTS IN SUPER STITCH SEMI
Five different players scored in today's thumping win against White Knight at Sports Park this afternoon. Joe O'Neill was drafted in from the second team to play up front and he opened the scoring with a brave diving header before Ollie Jeffs showed great determination poking in the second just before half time. Gary Walsh made it three 10 minutes into the second half tapping in after brilliant wing play from Ian Rafiti, and Dale Scowen got the fourth minutes later with a curler from inside the box. Tom Frere-Smith finished the scoring with 20 minutes to go, stroking the ball into an empty net after a defensive bloomer.
White Knight enjoyed the greater possession but failed to convert, Grant Lewis saving brilliantly to protect the clean sheet whilst the Battle defence gave nothing up even in the dying stages of the game when the result was secure.
The Baptists now play Bexhill Atheletic on Battle Rec in 2 weeks time, bouyed by 2 consecutive clean sheets and a strong sense of belief.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sat 9th Feb 2008
2NDS GAME OFF
Magham Down called this morning to report that their pitch is not fit to play. We tried to switch the fixture to Claverham but after an inspection they too were not happy with the condition of the pitch.
Come and support the 1st team in their cup game at Eastbourne.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sat 9th Feb 2008
GET YOUR DIARY OUT
Dates for your diary...
Ollie gets baptised tomorrow. Come and support him.
The service starts at the Zion Chapel at 6:30pm but to get a good view get there earlier. It's unmissable.
Sat.8th March...Pub Quiz Night...Squirrel...£12 for a team of 6...Room for 10 teams so get yourselves sorted.
Fri 16th May...End of Season Awards and Dinner...High Beech Hotel...3 Course Meal + Live Jazz Pop Band...£25 per ticket or £40 for 2...deposits are being taken from Gary Wenham...you can pay in instalements if preferred.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Thur 7th Feb 2008
JEFFS TAKES THE PLUNGE
Ollie gets baptised this Sunday and we should celebrate this fantastic event.
It's Ollie's declaration of faith and he's asked for as many of his footballing friends to be there. So please come... No excuses!
The service starts at the Zion Chapel at 6:30pm but to get a good view get there earlier. It's unmissable.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sun 3rd Feb 2008
BBFC 1-0 Magham Down
What a great performance! Every one of the 14 man squad that helped to gain victory against Magham Down yesterday deserve massive praise.
It was brilliant to be back in action once again after the bad weather caused us to miss the whole of our January fixtures. After incredibly heavy rain in Battle on Thursday, even this game was in jeopardy until the pitch was finally passed fit at Saturday lunchtime.
We started freshly with a scintillating start to the game. Ian Rafiti was rampaging down our left flank, and Magham could hardly get in our half. But the visitors came back strongly and could easily have won the game. Magham strikers certainly had their chances - Grant Lewis saved bravely in the first half - an attacker snatched a fantastic chance wide of the post in the second - another Magham player hit the post with another shot.
The winner came in a swift counter attack half way through the second half. A Magham shot struck Paul Ford on the chest in our penalty area and as Magham appealed in vain for handball, Ian Rafiti powered up the left, releasing Tom Frere-Smith. In his usual style Tom beat the last defender and cooly stroked his shot under the body of the approaching keeper.
Five minutes later TFS had a chance to make it 2-0 when Gary Walsh threaded a pass behind the defence but the Battle number 10 was wide of the mark with his strike.
In the final 20 minutes we held up to a barrage of attack from a determined and aggressive Magham Down team. The central defensive partnership of Adam Staplehurst and Max Stzyber was sensational. Playing on a heavy pitch Battle defenders threw themselves in front of every Magham Down shot to prevent an equaliser. The final whistle brought relief and joy as the Baptists were rewarded for their endurance and perseverence in this stonking game of football.
Filled with encouragement and beleif, we go to Eastbourne next week to take on White Knight in the quarter-final of the super Stict 86 Challenge Cup.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Sat 2nd Feb 2008
2ND TEAM GAME OFF
We had a disappointing call from Claverham this morning to say that the 2nd team cannot play there today. The Claverham pitch is still holding lots of water and will be unfit to play on this afternoon.
The news is different from the Rec where the firsts are playing Magham Down this afternoon. The pitch is very frosty but the sunny weather will thaw it out by 2pm. No doubt conditions will be heavy but just how heavy depends how much it dries out in the sun this morning.
Game Kicks off at 2pm. Come and support us if you can.
Posted by: bbfcmanager
Fri 1st Feb 2008
WEATHER SET FAIR FOR FOOTBALL
At last, it looks like the first team will play football this weekend having missed the whole of January fixture programme. Despite stormy rain on Thursday, today's sunshine and tomorrow's forcast for more drying weather gives us great hope for a game.
Both teams are at home with the first taking on Magham Down at the Rec. and the 2nds at Claverham in their game against Sedlescombe.
Both games Kick off at 2pm.
Posted by: bbfcmanager