Team: Mazza(G), Morris, Macdonald, Glover, Knott, Bentham, Ledbury (capt), Lewis, Cunningham, Harbusch, Erikson

Subs: None

Scorers: Cunningham, Lewis, Erikson, Harbusch Reporter: Vets 1 Correspondent.

A return match away against Jeunesse St Gilles afte a scrappy home 1-1 draw with them was an opportunity to get back on winning ways with a bare eleven. It was to be a game of two refs.

A stand in ref provided a timely kick off until the match official turned up. Vets 1 lost the toss and were put in to play uphill, into the sun and the breeze.

A good initial start by Vets 1 did not last long as Jeunesse St Gille were managing to thread their way upfield with some skill but without the goalmouth threat. Any shots or through balls were gathered up by Mazza in his usual safe style. Morris had his work cut out on the right against a skilful forward and Ledbury and Lewis had to contend with some fine touches from them in midfield.

Vets 1 eventually began to put some passes together with Lewis bursting through to direct a left foot volley wide. Bentham then released from a long through ball on the right pushed through to threaten again. Goal,from a left sided attack and resulting corner, Bentham swung it temptingly into the middle of the area where Cunningham rose like a soufflé in a fan assisted oven. Meeting it plum, to nod it in amongst a rush of players into the centre of the net, finely struck, finely headed and a finely directed . 0-1, soon after the stand in ref went off to rapturous applause from both sides for his fair play approach.

The opposition were still playing reasonably well but Morris now had the measure of his man, Knott Macdonald and Glover were comfortable but not careless. Another surge from Vets provided a free kick centre field just outside the box. Harbusch stepped up and drilled it in the top corner 0-2 everyone turned away to the half way line, correction 0-1 everyone turned back. The new match official dis-allowed the goal deciding it was not to be direct.

Half time only 0-1 .

Still a good result playing into the elements now with them in our favour more effort and goals required to demoralise the opposition.

The second half followed much as the first, with Vets 1 a bit disjointed without being in real trouble and the game became a scrappy affair. Eventually out of the general malaise in a busy opposition penalty area the ball broke to Lewiswho calmly slotted it passed the goalkeeper to bring some order to the proceedings 0-2. Vets 1 now enjoyed some strong possession with Bentham on the right putting a low cross pass across the area , with the opposition defence Erikson put it away 0-3. Ledbury was giving their midfield some attention which they did not like and soon tempers and tackles were shortening. A mazy yes mazy run from Morris on the right was effectively snuffed out by a spectators ball running on to the pitch to intercept a promising move.

With Jeunesse mainly huffing and shrugging and leaving there foot in at every occasion they won a corner. From a Vets cry of defence "out" an indirect free kick was awarded ?? from 3 metres out. With the defence on the goal line Jeunesse set up a pass and steered a shot passed a rushing defence into the top corner 1-3. Quickly they were on the attack again and with the help of the ref, a further goal was struck 2-3. Jeunesse were on the up and Vets cohesion diminishing as decision after decision after decision went against them. A collision in Vets box by the oppositions own players bringing cries of penalty, but a stern bottling look at the ref from Mr Glover saved the day. The clock ticked on and on and never actually down strangely enough in the second half.

One many breaks up field not given offside saw Bentham square to Erikson who neatly picked out the post to hit with their defence stretched. Goal, breaking up field again Lewis picked the ball up wide right, slowing the play down he picked out Harbuschin the opposition area. A decoy swish with his trusty right blade foiled the defence and set up a left foot trundler passed a despairing goalkeeper. The ref finally blew for time after his batteries ran out

Full time 2-4

A scrappy bad tempered affair overall as Vets 1 overcame their 12th man to run in worthy winners and get back on the victory trail.

MOM: Lewis