Team:Mercelis / Bernardo / McGrath / Lachia / Philpot / De Roeck / McGeehan / Hodgson / Gimeno Blanco / Kellermann / Donner

Subs:Novak / Lebbink

After a couple of days of will Willy or won’t Willy, Willy wouldn’t wobble, Abssa held their nerve, Yahoo weather trumped Billiet and the games were on. Indeed those RBBFC players who managed to wake up in the morning were greeted by blue skies and bright sunshine for the trip to 1030 and a game against LXG.

RBBFC were looking for a victory to keep pressure on the leaders and were slowly getting focused in the changing room when Kellermann walked in sporting his much anticipated new haircut. Unfortunately it was still a work in progress and we will have to wait another week for the finished article. Mercelis didn’t seemed too worried about any rivalry in the beautiful hair stakes and carried on applying red bull to his gloves while the captain and vice-captain gave the usual motivational speeches listened to by no-one.

RBBFC lost the toss allowing LXG to play their favoured way down the slope first half, making it even more important for RBBFC not to concede yet another sloppy goal early on. RBBFC concede yet another sloppy goal early on. When the ball fell somewhat fortuitously to the LXG striker 25 metres out there did not seem too much danger but RBBFC were a touch slow to close him down and then Krissy put into motion the Mercelis end of season plan. Apparently our former no. 1 (Jean, hurry back) wants the title race to go down to the last game of the season so generously waved the ball into the net.

1-0 down, no panic, RBBFC starting playing and created a number of clear chances which on another day they surely would have put away. Half-time arrived with no further score and the change of the injured Dex for the now wide awake Novak. The mood in the camp was positive and more of the same was called for in the second half.

Down the slope the boys in white were dominating possession against a tiring LXG team now in complete defensive mode. RBBFC moved the ball well from side to side and managed to create some more clear cut chances against a resolute defence. A couple of decent penalty shouts and a goal ruled out for offside did little to improve British morale as they searched for the breakthrough. In the end LXG managed to hang on and RBBFC were left to rue one defensive lapse and some poor final balls and finishing despite a decent performance.

The post-match atmosphere was understandably muted but all was not lost as a great new MoM song was found for Joaquin, instantly loved by all and, more importantly, leaders Jefke also dropped points. Who knows, Krissy might just get his wish but no more sloppy goals please lads.