Team: Sjerson(G), Shiono, Macdonald, Morris, Waite, Bentham, Ledbury (capt), White, Lewis, Gutierrez, Harbusch,

( sub: Wrigley) (mascot: Clarrie Fisher)

Scorers: Harbusch 5, Bentham 2 MOM: Harbusch Reporter: Vets 1 Correspondent.

At last the big kick off and the fixture list threw up another away tie. This time in gloriously sunny north west suburban Brussels, stronghold of Mirriel Wemmel 3. Vets 1 turned up with 2 friendlies under their belts and a squad of 12. Soon reduced to 11 with Wrigley opting to nurse a niggle on the sidelines where he joined our mascot and a defibrillator as their combined age was + 120 years. A trusty 4-4-2 was the order of the day with Shiono taking the right back berth, White filled the left hand side leaving Gutierrez and Harbush to share the spoils.

On a remarkably fine flat and grassy playing surface Vets 1 lost the toss and kicked into a slight breeze on a fine day. With no idea of the calibre of the opposition Vets 1 set about the game with a calm approach as fitness would tell eventually. A good start saw Vets 1 imposing their influence on the game immediately, constantly prodding in the first 10 mins for an opening without any clear opportunity. Defensively secure with Shiono, Macdonald, Waite and Morris, Wemmel were struggling to assert any worthwhile opportunities. Anything over the top was hoovered up by Sjerson.

The 1st half basically followed this pattern. Vets 1 were honing in, Lewis, Ledbury, Harbusch, Guttierez all had reasonable if not clear cut efforts as Vets 1 were playing well throughout the team. Goal, eventually a burst through on the right hand corner of the penalty box late in the half saw Bentham strike a rasping shot, saved by the keeper it rebounded for yet another rasping effort. A packed goal line defence could only handle it accidentaly to prevent it going in. However a penalty awarded and well deserved. Up stepped our acting CEO Mr Harbusch to strike his first right foot shot up into the far corner of the net 0-1, the half ended soon after.

half time 1-0: Team talk was of a controlled display and an early 2nd half goal would see Wemmel spirits fold.

Goal, Wemmel kicked off the 2nd half only immediately to be robbed of possession by Lewis, a mazy solo run upfield provided no opening so a mazy run ran back still with ball to deliver back to Vets midfield. A few swift passes between Ledbury, Gutierrez amd Bentham released Harbuschto thunder another right footer past the goalkeeper 0-2. Re-assembled, Wemmel kicked off again but persistant harrying by Lewis, White and Ledbury in midfield with Shiono and Morris supporting set up another quick opportunity. From the left saw White and Gutierrez combine to send a good cross over, just inside the box it was met by the confident dome of Harbuschwho looped a header over the keeper 0-3.

Only 5 minutes had passed and Wemmel were shocked, they tried to mount a challenge but with Sjerson comfortable with anything in the box and Macdonald and Waite ushering their speedy forward it was no joy. Goal A nothing ball punted upfield by Wemmel bizarrely had our central defence in a tangle and a loose backpass saw a Wemmel forward nip in to steer one pass Sjerson. Wemmel spirits were up and some resolute defending and goalkeeping kept them at bay.

After Wemmel’s best spell Vets 1 regained some composure. Goal, with Bentham again driving in from the right this time his low shot beat the on-coming goalkeeper to re-establish Vets dominance again, 1-4. Dominance it was, Shiono from right back had a good effort whizz past and a few dubious offsides prevented further efforts. From the many attacks Harbusch again found some space in the box only for the keeper to make a good save but parry it back to Harbuschwho mad no mistake second time, 1-5.

Goals, Wemmel were tiring as were Vets 1 but the momentum was with them. A poor defensive header gave Bentham a close-in opportunity which he took by nonchalantly chipping the keeper 1-6. Harbusch rounded of a fine individual performance with a tap-in to make it 1-7 and climb the all time stats.

Full Time 1-7

The result was well deserved for a fine early season team performance, Harbusch took man of the match from an impressive Shiono. Tougher opposition lies ahead as Vets 1 top the table and have to prove they have the hunger to push all the way. A little too many ice teas were consumed in the bar afterwards, lets get the beers in for our next victory.