Another point, another goal in the bag, 5 games to go, still more serious work ahead of us to remin in the elite

Line up :

L.Tholoniat, R.Salvel, R.Waite, G.Di Fabio, C.Cabaret, C.Ledbury, B.Belfi, G.Cajade, C.Rice, L.Sardaro

Subs: B.Ten Holter, M. Gutiérrez, P. Brown (on call)

Fresh from a deserved victory the previous week against the Celtic horde from Nossegem, Vets 1 took up the challenge to vanquish a previously undeserved 1-0 loss against Azur. Confidence was high, spring was in air and selection was good. Azur duly arrived from cosy mid table to enter the fray.

With the formalities taking some time as we had a somewhat officious referee, who had obviously spent his bedtime reading brushing up on the sub clauses of the ABSSA guide to football administration. A sign it was going to be a long day.

Kick off and Vets 1 opened well, coping better with the uneven surface without actually truly threatening the Azur goal, with our back four of Di Fabio, Waite, Christensen, and Salvel holding Azur at bay. It was however Azur that suddenly crashed one off the bar, alarm bells, they were looking for a goal on the break as Vets 1 pushed forward. Belfi was his usual strong, technical gifted self and Caberet busy and buzzing around. The referee was also giving a quite few strange decisions based on the fact that someone had fallen over.

Offside after offside the Vets 1 attack led by Sardaro had failed to capitalise, despite some searching crosses coming into the Azur box. That was until a nothing ball rolling across the bye line that would be easily swept up by the Azur centre half, only for the industrious Cajade to nip in and intercept then quickly lay it off to the incoming Ledbury’s path to shoot. Ledbury, yes Ledbury had scored, in fact the Vets 1 correspondent was actually on hand to see his previous Vets 2 goal, a cracker at that and even before to witness the previous Vets 1 goal yet another cracker, over a span of a mere 5 years. So it was a privilege and a surprise to witness and report on this effort, not in the class of those before. It was of more a sliding scoop from close range "Rummenige’esque” one would describe it as, but vital none the less, not only for the game but for our league position. The social media in Rotheram also erupted that night, as news of the goal filtered through.

Half Time and 1-0, but still controversy, with the referee almost booking our delegué for failure to deliver an alixia of water in the appropriate manner, ie a sealed bottle and handed over with the utmost respect. The manager changed the cultured left foot of Salvel made way for the right hoof of Ten Holter, a straight swap at fullback, order maintained.

The second half started mainly with the referee still having a ding dong with our delegué over his non sealed water. He was not pleased at all and this was reflected in his early decisions.

Azur were on the press for the most of the 2nd half with Vets 1 looking to break. Tholiniat was called upon on several occasions to make great saves and blocks, which on this surface even simple blocks were difficult. Sardaro up front gamely made way for Gutierrez to go left midfield with Rice now scouting at point. There was continued pressure and probing passing play from Azur but without total domination, as Vets 1 were sloppy with their distribution when breaking and a little panicky in defence. This resulted in a soft but fair penalty being awarded for a nudge in the box. Tholoniat for once could not redeem us, 1-1 and the contest was in the balance.

Vets 1 rallied and our best effort fell to Rice, a long ball up to him with his back to goal he nonchalantly flicked it over the defending right full back, let it bounce a couple of times at the edge of the box while fending of the defender. With the crowd bating he cracked a sweet volley into the arms of the Azur keeper. It was nip and tuck affair now but without major incident thereafter and the referee blew his whistle at the appropriate decibel and frequency level as per ABSSA guidelines and EU health regulations. Another point, another goal in the bag but one point from six against Azur was feeble reward for our efforts.

The run in follows and with 5 games remaining and we are in prime spot to secure our place with the elite. Not only points but goals mean prizes this season so a bit more efficiency in our ball distribution required to capitalise . Chappeau x to Tholoniat for a well deserved mom performance.

(Footnote: Any bets taken on Eriksen (who scored a bullet header for Vets 2 (his description)) and Ledbury scoring on the same day will be subject to an investigation by the appropriate authorities. )