**stones 3-1 Battle Baptists II**

A morale boosting win for the stones today as they saw off a strong Battle side.

With 3 stones players pulling out on the day they were yet again left with a bare 11 against a Batttle side who were boosted by their 1st team game being cancelled. Battle started the brighter as the stones took their time to settle into a new look 442. Midway through the first half the stones began to look well organised with Kane and Cusden marshalling the back 4 and Hand, Parry and Davies threatening on the break. Following a stones corner Davies found young McNicol who cut in off the right flank and fired a low left footed shot into the bottom corner of the Battle net from 20 yards. Not long after 1-0 became 2-0 after debutant Kentall won the ball in midfield and Dave Hand was sent clear through on goal. He made no mistake and tucked the ball past the keeper for his 8th of the season.

Battle hit back towards the end of the 1st half when some uncertainty in the stones back line lead to a near post finish for the Battle striker. Pugh unluckily saw his effort hit the post after good work by Parry and Hand as the half finished 2-1.

Battle started brightly in the 2nd half and had the stones pinned in their own half for long periods. However for all their possession they rarely threatened Saunders' goal as the stones were well organised and disciplined throughout the defence and midfield. The 2 goal cushion was restored on the hour when McNicol's blocked shot fell to Johnson who turned and fired his shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

The 3rd goal seemed to galvanise the stones even more and they showed fantastic resolve and character to see the game out despite the lack of fresh faces from the bench. Pugh again went close with a header from a Cusden long throw and Davies made an excellent last ditch tackle to deny Battle a 2nd goal as the game drew to a close.

A great win against the odds with some excellent individual performances. Ben McNicol was superb at right back but just edging him for MoM this week is veteran Kristian Kayne who defended brilliantly and showed some much needed composure on the ball throughout the 90 mins.

Up next is Rye Town.

#uts