Team: Kris Merclis / Andrew Hodgson, Nils McGrath, Jonny Mojena, Didi Lebbink / Rich McGeehan and Kevin DeRoek / Steve Lamarra, Luca Cardona, Robbie Brown / Thomas Kellerman

Subs: Maarten Billiet, Laurent Legere

RBBFC 1 turned up at the game in good spirits hoping to avenge the defeat we suffered at the hands of the Irish last time out. We wondered over to the pitch to have a look at the surface, the conclusion was that it looked better from a distance. We got changed and were ready for the pre-match instruction from coach John McGrath, we left the changing rooms with the words "concentration" ringing in our ears.

We settled in to the game quickly and had edged the opening exchanges. We looked composed and threatened to get behind the Irish defense on a couple of occasions. It quickly became apparent however, that our silky new striker Lucas had a problem and was taken off to allow Billiet to enter the fray.

2 minutes later a move that started down the right culminated in Kellerman smashing the ball in hard and low across the Irish 6 yard box, Billiet used his immense power to take the ball, the goal keeper and a couple of the Irish defenders across the line. 1-up but a long way to go.

Half-time came and the instruction was to keep doing what we doing, we were playing well.

The second half kicked off and the Irish made a couple of substitutions and looked like a different side. We began conceding possession too easily and were undeniably under the cosh. Kevin, Rich and Steve, Maarten and Robby were working hard and doing well to stem their attacks before they got near our box.

With 10 minutes to go McGrath failed to clear his lines and the big Irish striker turned with the ball and stepped into our box. Didi then made sure he wasn't going to go any further and smashed him with a sliding challenge. They slotted the pen away 1-1.

With 5 minutes to go before time, Thomas Kellerman picked up the ball on the right hand side of their box, looked up and curled a pin point cross to the far post where Billiet leaped like a salmon to nod in the winner. Delight.

Tough game, we were very pleased to come away with the 3 points, but disappointed with the way we played in the second half. 9 out of 9 so far, our best start for many a season. But we won't be counting our chickens, it’s a tough league and there is a long way to go.

MOM: Jonny Mojena

Reporter: Nils McGrath

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