Vets 1 2-1 FC Besace

Team: Serjesen (G), McDonald, Den Hartog, Waite, Wrigley, Lewis, Ledbury, Glover, Shiono, Sabanovic, Eriksen sub: Cunningham

Scorer(s): Sabanovic 2

MOM: Glover

After the debacle of Elan Evere [1-4] we tried to make the titanic struggle of last week against ITT [0-4] a more positive note to build on as we faced another of the top sides FC Besace. Huuuuge motivational boost in the dressing room when Tommy Serjesen turned up for his debut of this season.

As both our recognised forwards were in the stand nursing pulled hamstrings skipper Ledbury opted for a 'McLaren like' 3-1-4-1-1 formation with Sabanovic supporting Eriksen as much as possible.

The firsts ten minutes saw Vets purrr into their stride, playing the type of football that leaves our supporters wondering how we can we play so well and so badly with the same team ? But there was to be a shock as we settled down in the Besace half. The first break for Besace saw their right midfielder play a great ball into the box, their left winger shot and we all waited for Serjesen to do what he does best - catch the ball then immediately set us up on the attack. BUT the shot hit the legs of a defender and spooned up like a sandwedge - shot over the now stranded Serjesen and sailed into the net. 1-0 and time for the panic button.

NO, we withstood some severe pressure from Besace who now believed they could beat us convincingly and started to get the upper hand again. When we play well its the usual suspects who have to 'strutt their stuff'. Waite - the libero dominates - DH and big MacDonald stand tall [easy for them] and the battling midfield get battling instead of sulking. Captain Fantastic [sorry Ledbury] and the Dirt Brown Cowboy [Glover] decided to put all their efforts into beating the opposition which allowed Sami [now known as 'Shakespeare' ...the author in case you didn't finish school], Lewis and Wrigley to set about beating their defenders and setting up chances. Sabanovic always looked dangerous and Eriksen ....well he's just dangerous. But could we force the goal to bring us back into the game.

BANG ....no not Eriksen got sent off [read previous match reports for this] but the Besace sweeper went down on the infamous Everberg bobble and had to be helped off. On came a sub who made Griffer [and me] look like Twiggy and the game changed. We were camped in their half creating chance after chance and then the breakthrough. A great pass from Lewis to Glover, a nifty 1-2-3 to sprint [or trot] past Twiggy and a looping cross to the far post. Wrigly jumped to nod back [or from the Besace right back's view, who looked remarkably like Leo Sayer, Wrigly assaulted him] and Sabanovic swivelled like 'Darren Gough in the tango' to shoot high into the top left hand corner. Witness melt down on behalf of the Besace players.....what is it about Belgian players that every goal conceded is a national disaster ?

Half time 1-1 but our oranges tasted sweeter. Besace shaken, rattled and ready to roll !

2nd half continues where the 1st half left off. Shiono Shakespeare, Lewis and Wrigley dominating, Captain Fantastic and Leo Sayer playing the huff n puff. Eriksen and Sabanovic looking dangerous with every attack. Cunningham came on to replace Den Hartog and joined in the assault on the Besace goal. Although Besace did have 2 good forwards they were now so isolated that Vets 1 back 3 took care of everything. Anything past them was Serjesen's ball so it felt like just a matter of time.

Having missed a few half chances we now set up the move of the game. Passing the ball the length of the field [no it wasn't one pass !] the ball broke to Glover on the left hand side of the box. A shimmy / a shuffle and the perfect near post cross for Sabanovic to head in under pressure from a defender. A great goal and Sabanovic looked a genuine forward with the run and finish. 2-1 to the Vets 1 and really there wasn't much to trouble us after this.

To keep the crowd amused Capatain Fantastic and Leo Sayer got themselves sent off. I didn't see much in either incident but then again I'm British so never see much in physical contact. Leo Sayer was really upset and tried to attack the referee but [and titter yee not !] Eriksen stepped in to stop him and calm the situation down ! Captain Fantastic got sent off for jumping or was it landing ?

Great result after two difficult weeks. Good performances from everyone, laid to rest the Everburg curse. Hopefully we get more of this and less of the Elan Evere stuff for the rest of the season.

Glover got MoM although Shiono deserved a tie for a great game.

All that was left was to go home and watch Scotland get beat by France and England slaughter Macedonia .....a funny old game this fitba !!!