Vs. Victoria Baptists (H)
Starting XI	Substitutes:
Simon Cutler	(83 Adrian Gaylon)
Owen Davies
Doug Morris
Gary Williams
Darrell Hartley
Paul Ford
Andy Mills (c)
Steve Chapman	(75 Chris Mammone)
Dave Mills	(65 Luke Miller)
Gary Walsh
Dom Fowler
Referee: J Winter
HT Score: 0-0
FT Score: 0-2

Battle suffered only their third defeat of the season and a set back in their bid for promotion from Division 4 as Victoria stole all three points with two second half goals at Battle Recreational Ground last Saturday.

Having already won two previous Baptist derbies this season against their Eastbourne counterparts, the home side started confidently, dominating first half with possession and territory without managing to break the deadlock.

Attacking a penalty area that resembled a potato field, Paul Ford came close to finishing a fine move after Gary Walsh cleverly crossed to the back post but the midfielder couldn’t quite get enough on his header and the ball went agonisingly wide. After beating his marker with a skilful turn, Walsh himself should have netted but fired his shot wide of the mark, and a third opportunity came to nothing after Dominic Fowler glanced a header into the path of Walsh, who fired his shot into the welcoming arms of the keeper.

At the end of the half keeper Simon Cutler reacted spectacularly to tip over, after a Victoria player smashed a stunning volley goalwards from 18 yards.

After the break, the Battle churchmen were left to rue their missed chances. Following a right wing cross, a volleyed clearance was instinctively headed straight back over Cutler’s head by Joe Bellett for the opener. Stunned at the incredible scoreline, the home team suffered more heartbreak as Victoria substitute Matt Owen latched onto a hopeful lob to score the second.

Two more top class saves from Zion Man-of-the-Match Cutler kept Battle in the game, firstly diving to his right to tip a shot round the post, then throwing himself full length to stop a thunderous long range volley from flying into the top corner. Unfortunately the hapless keeper injured himself in the process and needed to be replaced in goal by the courageous Chris Mammone.

Battle’s frustrating afternoon was complete when Fowler was denied a consolation having penetrated the back line only to hurry a shot straight at the grateful goalie.

Although the three points move Victoria into third position, Battle are only two points behind with six games in hand. Player-manager Walsh remained upbeat afterwards, saying ‘We didn’t capitalise on our early opportunities and Victoria made us pay. But sometimes in football you get days like this. It’s probably just the jolt we need to keep our feet on the ground.’