Team : Sejersen, Eriksen, Pierquet, Waite, Morris, Bentham, Yearsley, Lewis, White, Vermeersch, Gutierrez

Subs: Shiono, Bannon

Goal: White

Expectations for Vets 1 are going to be high this term, having WON the league last season, only to have had it taken away on an administration error. So we needed to get off to a good start against familiar opposition.

The team looked strong on paper, despite missing several key players. Simon Yearsley had spurned the advances of fitter and younger sides to choose Vets1 football this season, and last seasons Player of the year Sejersen was back, and even Eriksen whose pre-season misdemeanours had escaped a suspension by the clubs disciplinary committee. There was also long awaited debut for Yves Pierquet. Captain Ledbury was ruled out due to suspension, and Dean Bannon carrying a knock could only make the bench. Add to that the likes of Harbusch, MacDonald, Sabanovic, Taylor etc etc and what looks like a strong squad could see the manager having to deal with a few 'hissy fits' when it comes to selection this season.

The early exchanges looked promising as Waite marshalling the back four looked comfortable. Yearsley dropping deep to orchestrate the midfield, with both Tony (civvy) White, Jez and Brian Lewis looking mobile in midfield. Upfront we had lots of legs in Piet and Mike. However a familiar pattern was developing as each attack broke down in the last third. For some reason Vets1 were doing a very good impression of the Arsenal side of a couple of years ago and trying to pass the ball into the net. Elan Evere are no slouches and when Vets 1 made a couple of mistakes from their own throw, their very mobile centre midfielder broke free between defenders and managed to slot the ball past the on rushing Sejersen 0-1.

In fairness Vets 1 edged the first half on possession but it was Tommy who was the busy of the two keepers. Our attacks rarely bought a save and we were restricted to a couple of long shots, notably a good effort from Simon. Half time saw the less than impressed Carl demanding more end product. 0-1

The start of the second half had Vets 1 pressing with a little more urgency, however this left us more vulnerable at the back, and Tommy had to make a couple of one on one saves. Vets 1 attacks were still seeing some nice passing football up to and around the box, but no clear cut chances. Not long into the second half an Elan Evere free kick just outside the box led to their second goal. They passed the ball quickly and the same midfielder broke into the box ahead of his marker. Tommy rushed out trying to cover both near post and the pass across the box, when their player very cleverly slipped the ball between Tommy and the post 0-2.Shiono replaced Eriksen at right back, Roger was pushed up into midfield and Simon was asked to play a more attacking role as we now chased the game.

With time running out Tony White running on to a pass, screamed for one of our players to 'leave it'and then lashed a beautiful strike past their keeper 1-2.What a goal and had I not seen it myself, I would never have believed Tony's description of it. There were to be one of two half chances, one resulting in mad Mike or Piet, kicking their keeper in the head, only for Simon to get the blame and be surrounded by their players. The reformed Bentham having been shown as an example to Eriksen by an unnamed committee member then had a slight altercation with an Elan defender ;) And that sadly was it and the game finished 1-2.

In summary the reporter feels that there were some good performances, and the side looks fitter than it did last term, but we are going to have to score more goals than last season, and on this performance that looked the only real concern. The man of the match vote was spread but debutee Yves Pierquet who put in a good performance at left back just edged out 'goal of the season' scorer Tony White and Simon Yearsley.