Line up :

Kris Mercelis

Sylvain Lachia - Jean Minne – Ben Thom – Andrew Hogdson - Maarten Billiet – Richard McGeehan – Spencer Springob – Steve Lamarra - Thomas Kellerman – Nils McGrath

Bench : Miguel Lopo – Diederik Lebbink – Joaquin Gimeno

Minus 2° - windy – cloudy – derby against the Irish – on grass

On that kind of day, there is always place for a great day against old rivals, the boys in Green.

Message was clear, message was great : it is all about us today, more than ever we have to want it more than them.

First chance was for them, at least it was their only one. Great combination between our defense, their striker made a good dribble and shot but our superb flying mercelisman made the save.

Then, the midfielders became to know how to place themselves in our unusual way of playing. Mister Lamarra made his come-back and what a come-back. The Irish were less confident when they saw that bold head shining. Rocky Spencer covered the space all the game, and our captain Richard played a superb game as number 10.

First free-kick for RBBFC. Good challenge in the box, the ball came back to Maarten outside the box on our right. He gave it to Sylvain for a wonderful left foot cross. The 2 Irish center backs were to short. Ball came to Jean Minne. He tried one touch finish. Bad rebound, left knee to the goal on the keeper. Ball came back, right knee to the goal…on the keeper, then sliding tackle from 30 cm in front of the line…finally into the net. 0-1 for the boys in white.

Defense was holding their forwards away of Kris. Nothing for them.

After putting a lot of Danish cheese on his amstring and drinking apple juice, Nils McGrath was finally on the pitch…for 15 minutes. As he was thirsty and his amstring claimed for more cheese, he asked a substitution. Joaquin came on after more than a month without playing.

His two first chances…became two goals !

On his first, Richard received the ball, center of the pitch, made his classic ball over the defense, Joaquin ran with the ball on the left, entered the box and shot in the opposite corner.

On his second, Richard took the ball back, center of the pitch, made his classic ball over the defense to Thomas but Joaquin made an auto assist with his back, ran with the ball on the left, entered the box and shot in the opposite corner. Almost copy paste.

Half-Time.

On that freezing day, we kept all our head cold. We were good, but have to continue the run. As foreseen the boys in green put a lot of pressure in the first minutes during +-15 minutes. All of us from Kris to Thomas managed it very well.

We started afterwards to take the game back in our feet. Maarten made incredible runs on the right and kicked also the keeper because he could not stop himself running. Andrew and Sylvain, the fullbacks, stopped all their tentative on the sides + gave a lot offensively.

Strategic change on throw-ins, Maarten is taking it for a long one to Jean. His header went to the second post for Joaquin, easy finish for his hat-trick of course ? no he shot it on the keeper. Good following by Richard for the 0-4 ? no offside ! offside ?? no VAR so we could not argue… meeting at abssa on Monday to talk about it ?

On a corner on the left, the ball came back to Richard who tempted a good shot on the opposite top corner. The Goalie saved it but the ball came straight to Sylvain 5 yards of the right post, he could pass it to Jean but tried a good shot. Not on target, to strong for Jean to take it, but our Bomber Tommy was well placed on the second post and finished it properly. 0-4 !

On a wonderful ball between their defenders, Maarten came alone to the goalie, tried to chip it but the ball stayed on the ground and the goalie took it easily.

On a wonderful ball between their defenders, Joaquin came alone to the goalie, tried to chip it but his foot hit the ground, and the goalie took the ball easily.

Didi and Miguel came in to secure our win and did really well.

Final whistle, 0-4, biggest win in 2018-2019 season for the last game of 2018. That was an amazing year. Undefeated, but 2 loss, 13 clean sheets, 60 goals scored, a second championship in a row, a band of gentlemen, part of the family !

My wish for 2019 is to "take pleasure” every Saturday with that gang who is really the MOM every week !

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year !

Reporter and M.O.M : Jean Minne