Line-Up: Kris, Sylvain, Dex, Jean, James, Didi, Spencer, Rich, Thibault, Hodge, Nils

Subs: Kev, Luka, Tommy

Buoyed by the presence of RBBFC royalty in Lolo, the dressing room was brimming ahead of this clash between the two oldest ABSSA teams. 001 vs 002. Rich gave the line up, emphasized the lack of pace up front, introduced Thibault for his starting line-up debut and encouraged us to press high and show the right attitude from the start. Hodge rambled on about how neither he, Nils, Didi or Lolo have had anything better to do for the last 12-13 years worth of saturdays....and that's because this is the best place to be!

Game plan was to start the game well and win the game in the first half. We achieved that. We pressed high with Rich and Thibault supporting the front two well. James and Didi were stretching their legs down the wings and the defense was sharp with Kris as reliable as ever.

The first few opportunities came from half cleared corners with both Sylvain and Didi whistling good strikes past the post. So far, only one team in it.

The breakthrough came from our best passage of possession so far. The ball moved between the defense and the midfield and back again. It was then played forward to Nils who showed his class to hold off the opposition and slip a neat through ball into Rich who was breaking the defensive line with a forward run. As he entered the box the defenders were naturally attracted over to Rich anticipating a shot. Luckily Rich had the vision to slide the ball sideways to Hodge who, alone in the centre, slotted the ball past the keeper. 1-0.

We worked hard to increase the lead before half-time without creating any clear cut chances. Whistle blew, 1-0. Half time message was that things were pretty positive. Improve the conviction of our passing, don't sell ourselves in the tackle and keep up the pressing.

The first half of the second period was spent with Entente defending their goal. We dominated possession and had some dangerous set pieces with Jean and Nils dominating in the air. Their goalkeeper was having a great day though and did well to keep it to 1-0.

At the half way mark though we got the second goal we deserved. An Entente goal kick was won well in the air by Rich who headed forward to Nils, again showing his strength and composure to lay off to Thibault. Thibault played an inch perfect ball over their defense into Hodge's stride on the left. With only the keeper to beat he wait for the ball to drop and hit a left foot volley which whistled past the keeper and nestled in the back of the net. 2-0.

Subs were on, Tommy looking sharp, Luka looking classy and Kev shoring up the defense.

With the game petering out Entente created a couple of break away opportunities but Kris kept everything out. He just keeps getting better and better. Apparently its the new gloves and not the golden locks which are the source of his powers.

A good performance and a good 3 points. Entente were better than their league position suggested. MOM was close with Thibault's new song proving very popular. In the end Hodge took it following his 2 goals.

Approaching the half way point of the season and it's really tight at the top. Too soon to make any predictions. Our squad is finally starting to show some strength in depth though, encouraging signs.