Team: Marc Puig, Nils McGrath, Jean Minne, James Philipot, Sylvain Lachia, Andrew Hodgson, Steve Lamarra, Richard McGeehan, Dries Heerkens, Thomas Kellerman, Daniel Donner

Subs: Didi Lebbink, Kevin De Roeck, Ben Thom

After a 2 week break due to the ABSSA cup where RBBFC 1 was cruelly knocked out on pens when talisman Nils McGrath missed the deciding pen, league duties resumed. RBBFC 1 were missing their regular number 1 Kris Mercelis with his Samsonesque hair but had a formidable replacement in Marc Puig (2nd team captain).

The pre-match team talk from captain Richard McGeehan was something about hitting them hard early on. Coach John McGrath delivered an altogether different message and asked us to send a message to the rest of the league that ‘We want this title and we want it today!’ messages received.

RBBFC 1 started the game well and was finding space behind the Coin defence and in midfield. After 5mins the first real chance of the game opened up after some good work down the right hand side. McGeehan and Philipot exchanged a quick one two and played the ball to Kellerman who with a deft touch controlled the ball and played a beautifully waited pass to put Donner through on goal. Donner broke into the penalty box on the right hand side and had a clear sight on goal but his shot was right on the keeper who palmed the ball away for a corner.

RBBFC 1 continued to pile on the pressure and finally broke the deadlock 10mins into the game. After a series of corners, captain McGeehan whipped in a delicious left footed corner to the back post. The ball was met by a majestic McGrath leap who got the better of his marker and headed the ball perfectly into the bottom left of the goal ball. 1-0 to the good guys.

As the first half was drawing to a close, RBBFC 1 were awarded a free kick just inside the opposition half. A poor attempt to play it short, after 2 of the RBBFC 1 centre half’s had gone up into the oppositions penalty box expecting a long ball, resulted in a break away for Coin. As the Coin midfielder raced away from the half way line he was soon 1 on 1 with Puig who had raced out trying to close the angles. Credit however, to the Coin midfielder who kept his composure and clipped a tidy finish over the helpless Puig. Minutes later the Ref whistled for half-time as both teams went in level at 1-1.

The half-time team talk by coach McGrath was not to let heads go down. We’d played a decent 30mins and paid the price for a 5 min lapse in concentration.

Buoyed by their goal just before half-time, Coin started to push on and created a few half chances. Fortunately, Puig was alert and dealt with their shots comfortably. With no real chances being created at both ends and the clock ticking down, coach McGrath made some changes bringing on all 3 subs. Moving into the last 10mins of the match, RBBFC 1 continued to threaten but weren’t able to create any clear cut chances. With 5 mins left on the clock, RBBFC 1 won another corner. Captain McGeehan swept the ball in, the Coin defence dealt with first ball but Lamarra was quick to pick up the second ball outside of their area on the right hand side of goal. The shot looked like the obvious option but fortunately, all of Lamarra’s experience and awareness meant that he was able to deliver a peach of a cross (Juan Pablo Angel would be proud) right onto Heerken’s head who was loitering at the back post 1m from goal. 2-1 with 3mins to go.

Despite some last minute pressure from Coin, RBBFC 1 was able to hold out for the win as a collective sense of relief swept through the team when the Ref whistled for full time.

5 games left and nothing less than 5 wins please gents.

MOM and Reporter: Steve Lamarra