Saturday 18th November 2023, Kick-off 14.00
Mid Sussex League Premier League
Bexhill College, Bexhill-on-Sea
Admission: Free
Programme: None
Attendance: 10 (head count)
A combination of factors - ongoing heavy rain most of the week and today meaning that most games to be played on grass were at huge risk of postponement, along with my needing to stay fairly local in order to make my way to visit family in the evening, with no new grounds in the National League System within doable range - meant that this was to be my destination today.
Battle Town have led a fairly nomadic existence since entering the Mid Sussex League, with the Battle Recreation Ground not currently sufficient to host games at that level. After sharing Eastbourne United's ground last season, this season they are playing their home fixtures at Bexhill College, about seven miles away from Battle. The football ground is a typical 3G cage on school grounds, with spectators only allowed along one length, with no cover available, which was a concern with rain forecast, but fortunately only occasional very light drizzle fell during the game.
A glance at the league table suggested that the visitors would be slight favourites for this game. After a fifth placed finish last season, Battle came into this game down in eleventh place in the 14 club division, having won three and drawn four of their 12 league games so far. They have certainly known where the back of the net is lately, having drawn their last two games 4-4 and 3-3, and won 5-0 before that. Crawley Devils were promoted as runners up from the Championship division for this season, and have had a decent start at the higher level, coming into this game in seventh place, following five wins and a draw from 12 league games, but they lost their last league game 0-4 at Westfield last week. The two clubs have already met in the league this season, back in late August, with Crawley Devils winning 5-2.
On a very dull and overcast afternoon, considering the league tables, this was a rather surprising game which proved to be very one sided throughout in favour of the home side. After coming close on several occasions, Battle scored their first in the 15th minute, with an excellent goal, a diagonal ball into the box was headed across goal, and then headed past the keeper's outstretched hand. Battle kept on creating good chances, before they were awarded a penalty in the 38th minute for a handball, which was converted into the bottom right corner, sending the keeper the wrong way. And within a minute, Battle scored their third, when the ball was lumped up and into the box, a defender and the keeper couldn't deal with the ball effectively and was eventually bundled in. Crawley Devils had a rare chance on the 42nd minute, when a long throw in was powerfully headed over the bar, but the game looked as good as won by half time.
And indeed, the second half continued in a very similar manner, and Battle added their fourth in the 66th minute when the ball was crossed from the left and headed home at the far post, and three minutes later, they made it five following a run down the right, a low pass into the box found a Battle player, who took a touch before drilling the ball low and across the keeper. Not surprisingly, Battle seemed to ease off from this point and the game rather petered out. The result elevated Battle up to seventh place, but have played more games than most clubs above them.
No comments:
Post a Comment