Line-up : R. Eyssartier; F. Alguacil, F. Bon, D. Spada, M. Guarnaccia; N. Dubois, L. Miniucchi, W. Ouellette, D. Mineo; S. Van Dijck, M. Lopo

Subs : A. Dunn

It’s Derby day!!!

RBBFC is travelling to Mechelen for its own battle of Flanders against British united. The whites were motivated to take revenge on the disappointing draw that BU managed to get in Rosières just before the final whistle by an own goal.

Location was far and complicated to find in the depths of a big complex… But the grass of the pitch was correct and at least flat. Was it a good sign to play some proper football?

Availability was low and was going lower and lower… The whites were only 12 in the locker room hoping that no injury would happen during the game (pay attention to the Chekhov’s gun cleverly inserted in the sentence ;) …)

Fred was in charge of the music selection taking advantage of Gary absence… Nevertheless (:-D), atmosphere and motivation was growing in the changing room as Daniele was giving he line up:

Romain

Fernan - Fred – Davide – Massi

Nicolas

Luca – Daniele (Cap) – Will

Miguel – Sioux

Andrew had let his manager outfit to start on the bench as it was his return after a long injury. It was decided not to take any risk … (2nd Chekhov’s gun clue)

Captain Daniele reminded us that the pitch was huge and that we would need to run a lot. He also warned us about the quality of the opponent, surely better the first leg and better than their ranking.

Warm up was leaded by Fernan and team got the chance to see that the pitch was actually really soft making us think that the battle would finally be dirtier than expected earlier…

Game finally started and British United directly showed us that we were visiting them by putting a big pressure on every challenge.

RBBFC was not yet in the game when BU created their first chance. On a corner, ball was not cleared and they managed to hit the ball from the edge of the box… ball went through a lot of legs, leaving Romain reactionless… but the ball just hit the left post and came back to the penalty spot where they hit it again… just wide…

It was a good warning for RBBFC but not good enough as BU kept pushing on the whites’ defense.

But on a counter attack, the first chance for the whites has almost been the good one, Sioux was sent in the space ; he tried to score but the keeper manage to save it on the ground.

It was clear that they knew how to use the pitch - they were able the change sides to create spaces. Daniele and Nico were doing their best to control them. Fred and Davide were clearing the blue waves while Fernan and Massi were running to a lot to prevent the crosses.

One ball went over our defense and their striker manage to win the battle against Fernan to face Romain. He saved it with his leg to clear the danger.

A few minutes later, a cross manage to find their young striker; he had time to control and turn despite the return of Davide. His first shot was blocked and his second was luckily saved by Romain who was already on the ground after the first attempt…

These were the best chances on the first half, the whites were running a lot to cover the spaces but had more difficulties to keep the ball in attacking mode.

At half time, it was clear that we had to do better if we wanted to bring something from Mechelen. Daniele tried to bring back some serenity in the discussions and our game.

Massi went out and let Andrew make his come back on the pitch for the second half.

Second half started better for the whites, one half time was necessary but we knew also now how to use the pitch. Ball was more into Whites’ feet and were changing sides to create space. Luca and Will had finally balls to express themselves and if the chances were still not there; the whites were surely gaining confidence.

Unfortunately, on a long ball, Andrew only managed to deflect the ball and this became a perfect assist for their winger to face Romain. He kind of missed his shot but the ball still went on the left of Romain and slowly came to the back of our net… 0-1.

Fortune was definitely not on Whites’ side has Andrew felt his injury back (as only the finest observers would have noticed thanks to the clues given)

He had to let his teammates at 10 for an impossible mission…

RBBFC was trying to recover from this double misadventure but BU also wanted to secure his lead.

RBBFC created his first chance of the second half with the special from Sioux, he controlled a cross from Fernan, turned and hit it but his shot went up the air…

This gave back confidence on whites’ side but BU stroke back on a counter attack. Their winger crossed a ball on the floor in the direction of 2 of their stickers all alone in the box. One of them hit it to the left of the goal trying to wrong-foot Romain but he managed to deflect it over his crossbar with his left foot… Higuita style.

BU started to lose their nerves as they didn’t manage to secure their win against 10 fighters on the pitch.

On one other counter attack, Davide came back from nowhere to block their shot, a few minutes later, Fred tackled with authority (… butcher style) but regularly their winger who was about to face Romain.

And in the middle, Nico was winning more and more balls to give munitions to Sioux and Miguel. He launched Luca on the right that sent a good cross to Sioux who was close to put it on target.

The flies was going on another donkey (I will let Fred, our French rugby expert, explain this sentence).

But the time was running out for RBBFC as the end of the game was close. Daniele on a corner didn’t manage to find a teammate.

As BU was contesting every decision from the referee, he gave to RRBFC a good free kick after a challenge on Davide. It was surely the last chance for the whites.

Everybody except Luca and Romain was in the blues’ box. This time Daniele took his time to deliver a perfect cross in the Box, Mighty Nico rose in the middle of 4 defenders and placed a curved header …. In the back of the net!!!!

1-1

Explosion on whites’ side… devastation on blues’ one…

A few minutes left for the blues to force the decision against the 10 warriors. They managed to get a corner, the ball was cleared but their sticker took a　well-timed　volley that Romain saved with an aerial dive (for the photographers some would say).

They got one last chance with a free kick but their cross went wide and the referee whistled the final blow…

"Robbery" – that what we heard from a frustrated BU side but this draw was a great reward for 12 heroes that gave everything until the end.

Never a draw felt more like a victory for the 2nds and the team celebrated it properly!!!

Next game - next battle to go back to 3 points after 2 draws.

1-1

Scorer: Nico

MOM and reporter : Romain No Cry