Seconds’ Promotion Push Gathers Pace

Away game versus Trinquant 2

Team: Filippo Ghezzi, Lars Christensen, Steven De Vliegher, Carsten Schierenbeck, Alper Albayrak, Luke Petherbridge, Gael De Rotalier, Louis F. Kristensen, Richard McGeehan, Timme Doessing, Mounir Ben-Kahia, Cris De Bouter, Franck Paris.

Seconds’ Promotion Push Gathers Pace

An away game at home, a sunny winter’s afternoon, a near full-strength squad to call upon, on the back of a 3-month unbeaten run, surely a fixture against lowly Trinquant would see the Seconds continue their recent winning run?

Going into the game the Seconds may have been favourites on paper but football isn’t played on paper, it’s played on grass or in this case in mud. With this in mind Capitan Carsten delivered a stern team talk warning about a potential banana skin against a team that had already won the reverse fixture earlier in the season. So focused on getting this message across, our mercurial captain didn’t even mention the end of season dinner once.

Starting the game with a 3-5-2 formation, with Lars-Steven-Carsten at the back, Alper-Luke-Gael-Richard-Louis in the middle, Mounir-Timme up front and Cris and Franck in reserve, the British took the game to Trinquant, which roughly translates as ‘bunch of giants with silky-haired right-back’, trying to get the ball wide and avoid the quagmire in the middle of the pitch. Soon gaining the upper-hand with some nice link play between midfield and attack, RBBFC were in the ascendancy from the start although they did suffer a blow when Lars was (un)justly shown a yellow card for a slight tug / attempted rugby tackle on his opposite number.

With Trinquant seemingly content to sit back and soak up the pressure, slow down the game and occasionally attack on the break, the Seconds created several clear-cut first-half chances. However, with the final pass or shot often letting them down, no doubt due to the treacherous underfoot conditions rather than any lack of ability in the midfield or attack, the score remained 0-0 at the break. More controlled aggression and patience in equal doses were the battle cries at half-time from captain and coach.

The second half started much as the first half had ended with the British on top, yet a combination of last-ditch defending and profligate finishing continued to frustrate the Seconds. Going into the final quarter of the game with the score remaining 0-0, some could have been forgiven for thinking that this would not be RBBFC’s day, yet on the back of recent victories and with confidence high, the Seconds continued to push forward. Despite their dominance it took a piece of individual brilliance from Mounir to break the deadlock. When the ball fell lose in the box and with his back to goal, ‘Kanoute’ brought it under control, turned his man, adjusted his shades, and fired high into the roof of the net. 0-1 to RBBFC!

If this was the cue for Trinquant to wake-up, the Seconds made sure the giants didn’t have a chance to rise from their slumber, soon after doubling their advantage when Richard broke free and drew the keeper, setting-up second-half substitute, Cris de Bouter, for a crisp finish into an empty net. When Richard fired home to make it 0-3 some minutes later the game was up for Trinquant and all that remained was for the Ghezzer and defence to secure a rare but deserved clean sheet at the other end. Despite a few scares this was duly achieved and the Seconds were left to bask in the warmth of another victory and cold Rosieres shower.

All in all, the opposition and pitch made the Seconds work hard for what was, ultimately, a comfortable and deserved victory. The push for promotion has taken another step forward although there will surely be tougher opposition to come, not least with the visit of Joggers next week.

Man of the match (MOM): Richard McGeehan

Goals: Mounir Ben-Kahia, Richard McGeehan, Cris De Bouter

Reporter: Richard McGeehan