Team:

GK: Mercelis

Defence: Lebbink, Mojena, Lambrechts, McGrath, Billiet

Midfield: Lamarra, McGeehan, De Roeck

Attack: Hodgson, Kellermann

Subs: Legere, Lachia

What a fantastic day Saturday turned out to be! The sunshine was out and the mercury was up to a delightful 18C as RBBFC were preparing to taken on last year's champions, Brussels LTC.

Preparations were slightly hampered by the news that Michele Vadora had a cold and wouldn't make the game – someone please buy him a box of Kleenex for next week. Nevertheless, spirits in the changing room were high and we even had a special guest in the form of Jonny 5's son Noah. The McGrath double act got the show on the road and reminded everyone that to win today's game, we would need to show, grit, determination, desire, passion, composure, fight our way back into the light one step at a time. He couldn't do it for us but looking around at this team we are close to making history.

Prior to kick-off, a collective photo was taken with the two teams around the Abssa cup, a nice gesture from last year's champions and we look forward to holding on to the cup for another year!

The first half was pretty poor from the boys in White and we weren't really showing anyone how and why we are champions and still undefeated. For long passages of play, neither team were able to hold onto the ball and the game was a rather scrappy affair. Fortunately for us, Thomas Kellerman and Andrew Hodgson were on hand to grab a couple of goals.

The first goal came courtesy of a McGheehan Kellerman link up, the latter on hand to tuck in a cool finish with the inside of the right foot down to the keepers left. Minutes later, Road Runner Billiet who was keeping their left back busy by marauding up and down the right flank delivered a delightful ball along the ground into the 6 yard area. The ball fell perfectly to Thomas Kellerman who, unfortunately, also fell and tamely tapped the ball into the keepers arms. A bad miss only made worse by the fact that Thomas' parents had travelled all the way from Germany to watch the game.

After an unfortunate injury to Didi, Laurent Legere's prayers of ‘one less' were answered and he duly came on with 10 mins left in the 1st half. This was time enough for Kellerman to redeem himself and contribute to the second goal. After chasing down a lost ball deep into the LTC half, Thomas' neat pass found Maarten, who lay it off to McGrath on the edge of the area who in turn fed Hodgy. With only the keeper to beat, Hodgy did what Hodgy does second best (first best is imitating what mammals do on the discovery channel) and tucked the ball away nicely to the keepers left. Half time score 0-2.

After a berating from McGrath Senior and Junior at half-time we started to pick up the pace. Passes were finding team mates, challenges were being won and possession was kept. The third goal was coming and duly arrived off a corner. A long cross to the far post was won by Road Runner Billiet who knocked it down to Rbbfc1 legend/ 1st team DJ, Laurent Legere, who expertly connected with the ball on his heel and guided it into the back of the net. The now traditional emotional celebrations ensued followed up with a lot of badge kissing and general excitement 0-3.

The final goal was knocked in by Kellerman who after a neat passage of play in midfield, beat the offside trap slid it past the oncoming keeper. Unfortunately, they managed to grab a goal after we lost possession in midfield. A somewhat fortuitous ball found their midfielder who despite being surrounded by 4 white shirts slid it through the legs of Kris who was rushing out to close the angles. 1-4.

The game ended 1-4 to the good guys and we duly celebrated in LTC's newly renovated club house drinking beers in the sun! What a day, what a season –The best day of the week lives up to its reputation once again.

Reporter and MOM: Steve Lamarra