Team: Minne

Si M'hammed, Huber, Philpot (Dunn)

Chavanne, Novak

Maltsin, Costa (Hodgson), Billiet (Donner)

McGrath (Mineo), Somers

A run of three draws meant that RBFBC 1 were no longer top of the league and by their high standards were very much in a slump. As the old boys gathered in the stands and legends Kevin the Rock, Spencer Loveland, Jacob the Red and Lovely Lebbink took their place on the sidelines the atmosphere was muted.

What could they expect from the first team in the derby? Would they be able to rise to the occasion? Or would FC Irlande be able to cement their lead at the top of the table going into the Christmas break?

It was a beautiful crisp winter's day, cold but the skies were blue, and the sun was shining. In the dressing room our captain, Jean, gave his pre match speech, it was less about what he said and more about the energy with which he said it.

The team emerged from the changing room determined to take the fight to the opposition.

The team lined-up with Jean in goal, Huber, Philpot and Si M'Hammed at the back, Bill and Anthi on either wing, Robin, Tini and Luka in midfield with Paul and Nils up top.

The opening exchanges suggested this was going to be a tightly contested fixture.

FC Irlande had a tough defense, a strong, talented midfield and pace and power up front.

With the supporters settling in and hoping for an epic encounter, RBBFC won a free kick on the half-way line and Luka twinkle toes stepped up to take it. A group of players from both teams congregated just outside the box. With RBBFC’s aerial threat diminished as Dex was loaned to Vets 1 that day, could someone else step up and create a threat? As Luka whipped the ball towards the opposition’s penalty box, Nils rose from the mass of players, seemingly levitating in mid-air. The ball pinged off his head. There was an audible gasp from the crowd. Surely it wasn’t going in? A header from outside the box? And so it was, as the balled looped over the keeper and then dipped under the crossbar and nestled in the far corner of the net, RBBFC 1 were 1-0 up.

The next goal could prove to be decisive.

Just a few minutes later, the ball rolled out of play for a throw-in, James scooped it up and hurled it heroically down the line, Nils lept and with a deft flick glanced it into the path of the charging Martin Bullet (typo? maybe not) who once again showed his unmatched power and pace by bursting past their fullback. As time seemed to slow down, he looked up and with great poise slid the ball across the box, to no-one? As the ball rolled through the position of maximum opportunity to the edge of the opposite side of the penalty box, the target for Maarten’s pass appeared, Anthi. And with everybody thinking ‘take a touch!’ he didn’t and coolly side footed it first time across the keeper and into the far corner. RBBFC were 2 up, 15 mins in.

But RBBFC were not going to have it all their own way, FC Irlande put together a nice move and suddenly their forward was bearing down on our last line of defense. As he tried to break through, he met the Huber Dam, who stopped him in his tracks with his trademark splits. An incredible move for a man with rubber knees.

Moments later, a move was developing down the left-hand side, Anthi had the ball at his feet and was considering his options, suddenly he snuck the ball into Tini who had his back to goal just outside the box, he fainted to slip it down the channel but instead turned inside and found Paul facing goal just outside the box. With the opposition defenders bearing down on him he drew back that trusty right foot to shoot, but it was all a ruse, instead he rolled the ball to his right-hand side and Bullet took a touch, composed himself, and arrowed it across the keeper inside the far post. 3 up, 25 mins played.

The game was still not won, plenty of time remained and FC Irlande pushed forward again in search of a way back. With a smart one-two they were inside the RBBFC penalty box. Daniel having returned to Finland for a course on tackling given by the great Sami Hyypiä tried his luck. Penalty to FC Irlande.

If this goes in it could change the whole momentum of the match. As the opposition forward put the ball on the spot, Jean spread his arms making himself as big as possible. The mind game was won and a moment later the ball flew over the bar. Phew.

With half time approaching, the ball was rolling harmlessly out of play for a goal kick to FC Irlande, but Anthi dashed down the wing and against the odds, somehow kept it in. He was right on the touch line, turned and headed for goal. He spotted Nils making a darting run towards the near post. Anthi, safe in the knowledge that Nils would use his pace to get to the ball first, slammed it towards their six-yard box. As Nils arrived to meet it, the engineers in the crowd shrugged and mumbled that there is no way to score from that angle. A moment later, Nils scooped the ball with his left foot across goal into the top right-hand corner and RBBFC are 4 up. Incredible scenes.

The second half was a tight affair, FC Irlande to their great credit, kept pushing and fighting for every ball. Luka, Robin and Tini contested everything, putting their bodies on the line and fighting to break down every opposition attack. On the rare occasions they did break through our mid-field they were repelled by the Huber Dam, Tarik the Terrier and Jumanji James.

And if we have learned anything this season is that it doesn't take 11 men to challenge for a championship, it takes a whole squad. Each of whom is ready to put the team first. In the second half Hodge came on and gave us tough tackling and composure in possession, Andy gave us Scottish flair and determination, Danny provided pace on the counterattack and Daniele would have added another goal had he not been offside.

And when the final whistle blew, the rot was stopped and RBBFC were top of the table at Christmas.

Will they stay there? Stay tuned to find out.

MOM and ace reporter: Nils McGrath