RBBFC Firsts kept their supporters on edge until the very end but the league leaders dug out a vital win to bring them tantalisingly close to a first ABSSA Division 1 title for nearly 30 years. John McGrath’s men went into the game knowing that three wins out of their remaining three matches might well be needed to secure the title ahead of rivals La Lorraine. And after a 1-1 draw with Gast earlier in the season, they knew that their opponents – sitting fourth in the table – would be no pushover.

So the British goal, when it finally came ten minutes from time courtesy of a deflected long-range effort from Andrew “Hodgy” Hodgson, met with understandable joy from both the RBBFC players and a home crowd revelling in the atmosphere of a tense championship run-in. Things got even better for the home side as suspended pocket dynamo Steve Lamarra raced onto the pitch after the final whistle with news that La Lorraine had only managed a goalless draw in their fixture – widening the gap at the top of the table to three points with two games to play.

Yet for much of the afternoon it had looked like it might turn out to be “one of those days” for RBBFC. Gast succeeded in frustrating the home side with a sturdy performance and a strong physical presence. RBBFC had their chances, but fate seemed to be conspiring against them.

Hodgson, restored to a centre forward role, had more than his fair share of bad luck in front of goal. In the first half, set up by some tidy work by Binning on the left, he arrived at just the right moment to bury a header into the bottom corner of the Gast net, only to be harshly ruled off-side. Later in the game, with the tension now becoming almost unbearable, Hodgson appeared to have broken the deadlock with a long-range strike that bounced down off the bar just over the line – but the referee saw it differently.

There were other chances: Alessandro Lamarra, injecting some extra energy into the game as a late substitute for the classy Laurent “Lolo” Legère, was denied what seemed an obvious penalty as he was felled in the box. The home supporters made their views known to the referee in no uncertain terms, but to no avail. The impressive Nils McGrath was denied too, this time by a fine reaction stop by the Gast ‘keeper as the coach’s son looked to have headed home from a corner.

Gast could have even stolen a goal themselves against the run of play in the closing stages as a freak looping effort looked increasingly like it might dip just under the RBBFC bar. But, not for the first time this season, Drury produced a crucial save as he got back to make the tip-over, preserving the British back line’s formidable record of just 8 goals conceded all season.

Hodgson’s goal, when it came, was the result of a wicked deflection, but the player certainly deserved his slice of luck – as well as his subsequent Man of the Match award. He could have made it 2-0 shortly afterwards as he rounded the Gast goalie only to find himself at a slightly awkward angle and fail to find the empty net, leaving the home fans to endure even more nail-biting. But 1-0 it stayed.

The celebrations were raucous but there is still work to do before RBBFC can claim the championship – and the remarkable feat of doing so at their first attempt after promotion back into the top flight of Brussels amateur football. They need four points out of six to be absolutely sure. And with games to come against two teams struggling to stay in the division, nothing can yet be taken for granted.

MOM: Hodgy

Reporter: James Binning