RBBFC’s fine recent run finally paid dividends on Saturday as a solid 2-0 away victory was coupled with both Pharma and New Inn suffering heavy defeats. This leaves the British in 2nd place and only 2 points off the lead.

Blustery conditions were balanced out by a pitch in excellent condition at Etincelle and the changing room was brimming with confidence as captain Christmas gave the pre-match instructions. After huddling together and reminding everyone they were here to “take pleasurrre”, the whistle blew and the British eased into their stride, assuredly knocking the ball around in the early stages like a team that had played together for years.

A relatively uneventful opening ten minutes then burst into action when a move ended with Legere playing a neat pass over to McGrath who took it down on the chest before firing a volley narrowly over the bar. By this stage the hard-working British were beginning to make their mark on the match.

This was made increasingly evident when the move of the game nearly ended in the first goal. Starting in the right-back position with Christmas, the ball travelled effortlessly through the midfield, with Legere spraying the ball out wide to Yearsley. An excellent cross was met by Smitheringale whose fine header was accurately directed to the far corner only for the keeper to pull off an excellent stop and tip it round the post.

With half time approaching, the British nearly went in with a deserved lead. Binning collected the ball on the left and played Hodgson through. His pace was enough to take him past the last defender but, cutting in from the right, he couldn’t find the finish, a curled attempt floating narrowly wide.

The half-time team talk was positive, not much needed to change. With the wind now heavily at their backs, the crucial first goal was only ever going to come from one team. Skoniezki was the first to test the keeper, forcing a fine reaction save after a powerful run down the left. Indeed, the German didn’t have to wait too much longer to break the deadlock; a deep McGrath corner was met at the far post and nodded in decisively, 0-1.

The opposition heads went down and the British were rarely threatened from here on in. Christmas had the luxury of making a couple of changes: De Luca coming on for Smitheringale to make an energetic 1st team debut after impressing for the 2nd XI the previous week and Rotalier coming on to replace Anderson who, with his girlfriend in the stands, had no intention of breaking sweat this weekend.

The inevitable second goal arrived ten minutes later. Hodgson timing his run well to latch on to an intelligent McGrath through ball. With only the keeper to beat and plenty of support, the ball was squared to Skoniezki who tapped in to an open net, 0-2.

The game was then played out without major incident. The final whistle blew suspiciously punctually. However, with 3 points and another clean sheet, the British weren’t complaining, an important away victory was complete.

A close man of the match went to Skoniezki, whose work-rate; tireless communication and flair were the driving force behind the second-half performance. Other contenders this week were Yearsley, who made an impressive return to the team and McGrath, whose consistently strong performances are proving vital in the push towards the championship.

MOM: Jan Skoniezki

Reporter: Andrew Hodgson