Having lost the away game against Chiefs WSL 5-3 back in October in what was probably the lowest point of the season, we were looking forward to the return game at Rosieres as we had a few points to prove.

In addition to the traditional March drizzle, the day started with the news that Ben Griffiths had left his ID card in the office - and was not able to get it. With Carl and Roberto also suspended and others away, that left our merry band down to the bare 11. But a strong 11.

Lining up before the game in our light blue change kit, we were reminded that the day’s ref - the appropriately named Knut - is rather meticulous. For example, while he generously agreed to us wearing white under armour tops (as we usually play in white), he steadfastly rejected Bas TH's grey half sleeves. To be fair, he was just as strict with the Chiefs. Mental note - no arguing with the ref today.

Anyway, the game got under way - and was relatively even. Us stroking the ball around nicely in our 4-2-3-1 formation. Them (predominantly a bunch of short Chileans, some of whom were quite good technically) playing their ticki-tacka as far as possible and tending to fall over when we won the ball back.

About 20 minutes into the game, one of their players was late in a tackle on Mr Belfi in midfield and Bas went down holding his ankle. He hobbled off, hoping to be able to come back on in a few minutes.

One minute later, the breakthrough came. Gonzalo ran onto a high lob into the box from Thierry on the left. Just as he was about to control it, their centre back sent him flying. Clear penalty, which the referee happily gave. Captain Cian stepped up (again) and sent the keeper the wrong way. 1-0 to RBBFC.

(In fact, this was our 9th penalty this season. Something of a record and a significant contrast to those seasons past when we got through all our games without actually having to decide who our penalty taker should be!).

Following the goal, Chiefs had more of the ball, but were not able to create clear chances. At the back, Cedric and Nando marked their wingers well, with Roger and Bas TH taking the centre forward and Ian and Cian picking up the runners, filling in for Bas. This of course left Leo more isolated up front, but wide men Gonzalo and Thierry gave good support when we did manage to go forward. And we got to half time quite comfortably.

Alas the signs from the side-lines were not good. The red cross people were strapping Bas's ankle. Clearly, we were down to 10 men for the 2nd Half.

When the second half got under way, the ref became more apparent, as Chiefs continued to fall over. Cian was shown yellow, then Thierry, then Gonzalo. All for innocuous fouls.

But we were also able to put them under pressure. From one corner, Ian rose like a giant at the far post and headed the ball back against the post. Leo was not quite able to get the rebound.

From another corner their keeper tried to start a counter attack with a quick throw out. In his effort to stop the counter, Thierry stopped the ball with his hand. 2nd yellow for him. Difficult to argue with. RBBFC down to 9 men with 20-25 minutes to go.

Curiously, the next big chance came to us, with Leo suddenly through on the keeper. Unfortunately, he didn't strike the ball cleanly, and the chance was missed.

With Leo dropping into left midfield, we effectively moved into a more defensive mode - establishing two banks of 4 to block their attacks. With Nando, Bas and Cedric outstanding in defence, marshalled by Roger, holding firm on the edge of the penalty area, Chiefs WSL and their ticki-tacka struggled to get through. Again, and again, we either picked up their passes, or they overhit the final ball.

True to form, this led to a handful of free kicks not far from the box - and further yellows for Ian and Roger. Most of the set pieces were harmless, but one saw a very well struck left foot shot heading for the bottom corner until Tommy, diving at full length, plucked it off the floor with a save worthy of many MoM votes.

Easing into more of a 5-3-0 formation for the last 10 minutes, we still managed to buy periods of respite - with Gonzalo and Cedric(!) advancing down the right, and Cian and Ian using their experience to progress and take up more time down the left-hand side. Chiefs seemed to get more and more frustrated. And they also picked up a number of yellow cards. Tommy was even encouraged, in a heavily Latino-accented form of English, to go back to Denmark. This was shortly after he brilliantly got his hand to a tantalizing cross from their right wing.

With the precise and painstaking ref adding on 4 minutes, the final whistle was greeted with a mighty roar that reverberated around Rosieres. 1-0 to the good guys.

Whereas the first game against Chiefs was the low point of the season, this brilliant team performance was possibly the high point (so far) - and a sign of how far we have come. With Brussels LTC having lost, we even finished the day #TopOfTheTable

Votes for the MoM could have gone to any of the 9 heroes – but in the end Roger just pipped Tommy and Juan Arroz.

Roll on Nivelles next week and the chance to make up for another poor performance last October.

MoM & Reporter: Waite