Vs. Red Lion (H)
Starting XI	Substitutes:
Simon Cutler
Owen Davies
Doug Morris
Gary Williams
Darrell Hartley	(58 Paul Ford)
Pete Cooper
Andy Mills (c)
Dave Mills
Steve Chapman
Gary Walsh	(82 Dom Fowler)
Tom Frere-Smith
Referee: N Skinner
Goals: Cooper (6), Frere-Smith (65).
HT Score: 1-1
FT Score: 2-2

Brilliant reflex goalkeeping from Red Lion’s young keeper Dan Fuller stopped the home team from taking all 3 points in this crucial League Division 4 promotion contest.

The Baptists started in dominant mood and took the lead after just 6 minutes when Andy Mills, Tom Frere-Smith and Pete Cooper swapped quick passes inside the Lion’s defence, resulting in Cooper firing a low drive into the bottom corner from 15 yards.

Aiming to extend the lead, left back Darrell Hartley floated a wide cross over the defence for Walsh to unleash a 20-yard volley that flew just over the upright.

As the Baptists were anticipating more opportunities, Red Lion earned a free kick that was met by left back Jon Elliott who leapt in-between two defenders to direct his forceful 10-yard header downwards in textbook fashion for an equaliser.

Battle recovered well, switching the dynamic Dave Mills into central midfield to partner twin Andy in combating the strengths of the Red Lion team. The half finished as it started with Battle camped in their opponent’s territory. Red Lion looked relieved at the sound of the interval whistle, but not until they had survived 5 corners, one of which was blocked on the line after Walsh’s powerful header was goal-bound.

After the break the pitch conditions deteriorated as the light drizzle changed to persistent rain, causing difficulties for both teams on a slippery surface. Both midfield outfits struggled to gain the upper hand until a razor sharp pass from Walsh cut through the defence for the lightning-fast Frere-Smith to sprint onto. Chased by his marker, the wily forward touched the ball past the out-rushing goalkeeper and stroked Battle’s well-deserved second goal into the open net.

Battle pressed for a goal that would secure the win and looked certain to get it before a challenge was penalised 20 yards out. The resulting free kick was blasted past the wall into the chest of keeper Simon Cutler, then pounced upon and knocked in from close range by Lion’s Greg Houlton.

Immediately from the kick off, the Battle attack combined superbly to create a chance for Frere-Smith whose tight-angled shot was blocked at point blank range by the courageous keeper Fuller. In a similar situation, Frere-Smith carved out his own chance, dancing past the right back and rifling his shot at goal only to see the agile Fuller tip the ball over the bar. As time faded away and the home team searched patiently for their reward, Red Lion settled for the draw and further chances fell to Walsh, Frere-Smith, Cooper and Andy Mills before the referee’s final blow brought the game to a drawn conclusion.

For the Baptists a draw still leaves promotion in their own hands, whilst Red Lion will need to watch in suspense.