Team: Reynolds, Mann, Knott, Ellison, Hyde, Cunningham, Gaukroger, Brown, McGrath, Talib, Rasberry

Subs Gallagher H, Gallagher D.

MOM: McGrath

It must be fervently hoped that Vets2 has now reached rock bottom and that matters can only improve in the future. The ability of opposition teams at this higher level to convert chances and punish mistakes was demonstrated with stark clarity last Saturday by Mireille Wemmel. They were a big, strong, direct team who played good football. And, as always, they had a clear advantage in age over Vets2.

A bright start was undermined by yet another injury to Rasberry whose forceful running and physical menace had already created confusion in the opposition penalty area on several occasions. He was replaced by Gallagher D. after 15 minutes. Wemmel had already opened the scoring after an excellent individual run by a fast and skillful forward who evaded Hyde and Ellison on the edge of the area and stroked the ball into the far corner. A set-piece header and a chip over the keeper sent the teams into the break with the score at 0-3.

A 10-minute mini-revival in form ended with a goal for Gallagher D. who tapped in from 4 yards after the keeper had parried a strong shot from outside the area by McGrath. However, the fightback made no further progress as Wemmel were gifted a goal after a comedy of errors involving Knott and Reynolds. At 1-4 the game was clearly over and further goals simply underlined the message.

The substitutes, Gallagher H. and Maybrey (replacing Mann and Cunningham) worked manfully to retrieve some pride for the team. On another day dangerous crosses from Talib and McGrath might have produced a more tangible result, and Maybrey might not have been wrongly adjudged offside when played in on the penalty spot by Gallagher D., but luck had deserted the team. As we pushed forward, gaps appeared and were cruelly exploited by a very good Belgian side. Even if somewhat flattered by the scoreline, Wemmel ran out comfortable winners.

Positive aspects to the game: the fighting spirit of an overwhelmed defence, Maybrey’s efforts as a target man to hold off his marker with strength and skill, Rasberry’s all too brief contribution. Negative aspects: everything else.