TEAM: Puig / Bernardo, Mojena, McGrath, Lebbink / Lambrecht, McGeehan, Amundsen, Billiet / Lamarra, Vadora

SUBS:: Deroeck, Cardona

Next up on the RBBFC hit-list was LTC, the current reigning champions. It was a cold damp day, but the sky was clear and we were relishing the physical battle to come. In the changing room before the game, we went through the lineup: Kris, Didi, Nils, Jonny, Dex, Sam, Rich, Steve, Endre, Maarten and Micky with Luca and Kevin starting proceedings on the bench. We started strongly and looked the better team for the first 20 minutes we were quicker and more confident then LTC. Micky was doing an excellent job of leading the line, plucking balls out of the air and connecting the play. Lamarra was doing what he does best, speeding forward and latching on to Micky’s knock downs. However, not for the first time this season, it looked like Maarten was our WMD. On 3 or 4 occasions he beat his man with his raw pace and power and created opportunities both for himself and others.

However, we didn’t capitalise on our chances, and as any football man worth his salt will tell you, you’ve got to make the most of your chances when you get them or you risk letting the opposition back into the game. Today was no different, LTC were not reigning champions for nothing, they had some big strong boys at the back, a couple of talented midfielders and a very quick striker. They began to apply the pressure and got a foothold in the game. The ref wasn’t shy when it came to blowing his whistle which offered LTC the chance to get their big men forward and clip the ball into the POMO on all too many occasions. We held firm. The legend Stevey Gaukroger remarked in the bar afterwards that goal scorers may get the glory, but defenses win you championships. Jonny, Dex and Nils in particular were strong in the air, despite Andre the Giant doing his best to rustle our pretty feathers. 0-0 at half time.

In the interval Coach McGrath challenged us to raise our physicality, to battle harder, to be stronger and to win our personal battles all over the pitch. We began the second half determined. LTC still had the tails up from finishing the first half well but we slowly began to dominate the game. Sam was disciplined and tough in the holding role and as usual Richard started to dominate proceedings making big tackles and skillfully launching attacks with his crafty through balls. We didn’t have it all our way though, LTC were still able to get the ball into their forwards and wide midfielders but the excellent Didi and ever reliable Dex stopped them every time they threatened. Only once did their nippy forward get a chance to take on Mojena in the box, he tried a siscsor dribble and I for one held my breath, but of course Mojena had his number and with a perfectly timed tackle extinguished the danger.

Kevin and Lucas entered the frey in place of Endre and Sam. They were immediately in the thick of it as Kev received the ball wide on the left and floated a delightful ball with the outside of his right boot right across the box where Lucas was inches away from connecting with it. 2 minutes later Lucas has another opportunity executing a perfectly volley with his flawless technique that was headed at warp speed towards goal, but their big center half couldn’t get his hand our of the way in time and blocked it. No pen. 5 minutes to go. Once again the ball was worked patiently out to Kevin who’s marker approached, this time he stepped inside his marker and hit a hard dipping cross towards the far post. It flew just over their full back and Maarten Berkamp-esque skillz, instantly controlled it with his right, and swept it into the roof of the net with his left. We kept it tight and saw out the final few minutes. Great goal, great win, lovely 3 points.

MOM: Jonny Mojena (after a tight Paper/Scissors/Stone win over Maarten Billiet!)