A rare sortie into the Belgian countryside saw Vets 1 take on old adversaries Tourinois, on what is a normally very difficult surface to play constructive football on. Surprise - it had improved to just difficult and with a new vitrine clad clubhouse and dressing room complex to boot.

A bare 12 rolled up eventually with Bentham making his the first outing of the season accompanied by his somewhat imbibed but recuperating fan entourage, Gauky also turned up to add to the formidable away end support. On a drizzly day and a first for Vets 1 on a slippy, skiddy but narrow gras pitch, capt Bannon opted for 4-5-1. Harbusch the lone forager up front and a bronchial Yearsley stepping in for Hoskins to partner Waite in central defence, supported by Erikson and Taylor as fullback.

Kick off, and the opening exchanges had Vets 1 finding it difficult to adjust to the surface and the wind against conditions. Tourinnois were on top without really threatening as Vets 1 were finding it difficult to support Harbusch with any regularity. The defence was secure but overall still suffering from poor distribution in phases and allowing Tourinnois to regain possession and dominate. After a few corners the ball eventually broke loose in the box, a scrappy affair follwed as Vets 1 failed to clear and as a result the ball broke to a Tourinnois forward, unmarked to stab home from close range, 1-0 midway through the first half.

Vets 1 then slowly began to improve adjusting to the surface with Dehombreux picking up a yellow from a bit of a petty ref as Vets 1 began to push forward, without much clear goal action but with more of the play. A Bannon shot and a speculative Lewis effort the only notable efforts. At the other end Tourinois worked a breakaway with a one on one with Sejerson, a fortunate slip by distracted their forward who skewed his shot wide. However overall, Vets 1 went in at half time confident they could compete in the 2nd half with the wind against them to hold the ball up.

Immediately from the opposition kick off Lewis put Gutierrez in only to be thwarted by the Tourinnois defence, but this signalled a greater urgency from Vets 1. The game was more even with Tourinnois only threatening from free kicks, mostly pettily awarded. Dehombroux defending one with his plexus which eventually saw him make way for Bentham to court the right wing and Valcsicsak to share the midfield duties with Lewis and Bannon. Vets 1 continued to probe and create half chances as Tourinnois were on the back foot. A breakthrough and fine shot from the edge of the box by Valcsicsak went agonizingly past the far post.

Further attacks with more pace injected by Vets 1 midfield saw more strikes on the Tourinnois goal, Bannon was smothered by their competent keeper. For corners Yearsley and Waite were coming forward on all set plays. Eventually Yearsley nodded down toward the far post, Valcsicsak managed to get a foot in as the defence prepared to clear, the ball broke to the centre of the goal where Lewis followed up to make it 1-1.

Vets 1 added impetus from the goal had Tourinnois struggling to contain swarming attacks and further yellows for Wait and Bannon followed . A Bentham run and cross down the right hand side powered perfectly for the waiting Harbsuch only for it to be plucked from the air before it could reach his straining neck muscles. A well struck free kick by Guttiriez just flew over the top corner.

Overall a good al lround performance by Vets 1 with a victory almost within their grasp and Lewis shaded Valcsicsak in the mom award. So its onward to Rosiêres to continue our slow ascent up the table.