The lack of goals bring second defeat of the season for RBBFC2; promotion chances still very high.

Line-up: Puig, Bon, Guarnaccia, Lambrecht, Ricketts, Vazquez Lazara, McGirr, Wetzel, De Roeck, Henriquez, Mineo / Subs: Jimenez-Prat, Legere

RBBFC 2s were left frustrated as they lost out to a rugged St Georges side 1-0, missing the opportunity to put the ABBSA Division 3A out of sight. RBBFC are still in strong in position to take the title, with a 9 point gap remaining between them and second placed St Georges, with a game still in hand.

Without Claudino, Deschamps and Lambers, RBBFC lacked their usual ruthlessness in front of goal, and were wasteful to say the least with man of the match, McGirr culpable for many of the squandered chances, so numerous that they are listed in an annex, rather than described in prose...

Whilst RBBFC will rue the opportunities they missed, as with previous weeks they didn’t control the game in a manner they became accustomed to at the start of the season, with St Georges’ strong core down the middle of the pitch playing their part in disrupting the ability for RBBFC to play the flowing football they are capable of.

The first half was a tight affair with neither side dominating proceedings. However, St Georges looked more dangerous early on as their big lone striker caused the three at the back for RBBFC difficulties with his pace and power.

After a bitty first 15 minutes, St Georges took the lead.St Georges broke down the left finding themselves with opportunity to have a clear shot on goal, and although Puig was able to keep out their initial effort with a good save, the ball fell kindly to the “Ginger Benteke”, who tucked away the rebound with relative ease.

The goal forced RBBFC to refocus their minds, and they begun to stamp themselves on the game as St Georges looked to keep hold of what they had from early on. The superior territory this afforded RBBFC was not converted into many clear cut chances before half time with the best chance of the half falling to Mineo who was slid in behind the defence, only for him to be caught by the sweeper, who was key to maintaining St Georges clean sheet throughout the game.

At half time, it was clear that RBBFC needed a change and Puig looked animated as he attempted to rouse his team, in full knowledge of the qualities of the side he had on the pitch and glittering array of talent he had to his disposal on the bench.

In an attempt to change the game, auxiliary forward Bon was thrown forward, and immediately added muscle to their forward line driving the RBBFC pack forward like a prop in a [rugby] scrum. Bon’s efforts caused all sorts of problem for the St Georges back line who would be happy to see the back of “Le Juggernaut”, who made a nuisance himself for the rest of the game.

Half-chances came and went, but whilst it certainly wasn't pretty, RBBFC battled on, digging deeper to get back into the game, knowing the sign of true champions was both coming from behind and winning when not playing well.

After finally finishing his pre-game warm up, Jimenez, on his loan from the regional Swiss league came on to anchor the midfield allowing both Vazquez Lazara and McGirr to push further up the pitch, with Ricketts moving into the back line to snuff out any chances that St Georges were looking to get on the break as RRBBFC surged forward.

The change of tactics seemed to work, creating pressure further up the pitch for RBBFC and causing more chances to come their way, but were simply squandered with ever greater prolificacy. For all their toil, as time went on there was an increasing sense from those in the crowd that it wasn't going to be their day. With their last throw of the dice, Puig called on veteran Legere, who brought an air of control to proceedings, but unfortunately no breakthrough.

The referee’s final whistle brought jubilation from the St Georges team and their home support, and although they rode their luck at times, worked hard to earn their 3 points. RBBFC can have some pride in their battling efforts, having pinned St Georges back for much of the second half, but this will provide little solace to thoughts of what could have been.

MOM and reporter:Alistair "The Shark" McGirr

Annex – McGirr’s misses

26 min – Header from Vazquez Lazara's in-swinging corner. Glanced wide.

41 min – Henriquez’s attempt to round the keeper blocked. Rebound fell to McGirr on edge of the box with defender on the line. Bar and

over.

57 min – Bouncing ball into the box. McGirr held off defender, but poor connection on a left foot lob fell kindly into keeper’s hands.

60 min – Ball came across the box from a defender’s block. First shot saved well by the keeper. Rebound from a tight angle put wide (x2)

63 min – Ball back into the box after the breakdown of a corner. Lunging volley hooked tamely wide.

67 min – Low cross in box from Legere fell at McGirr’s feet. Turn and shot. Keeper saved well down at his near post.