Line-up

GK: K. Mercelis

DF: J. Minne / J. Mojena / N. Mc Grath (Capt.) / D. Bernardo / S. Lachia

MF: E. Ricketts / R. Mc Geehan / S. Lamarra

CF: M. Vadora / A. Hodgson

Sub: Coco McGrath

Looking to build on last week’s opening day success, RBBFC 1 travelled to Nossegem to face an FC Irlande team full of confidence following their own opening day win away to FC Portugal. The British were expecting a stern test in ‘El Celtico’ and were dealt a number of blows in the availability charts with half the squad injured, unregistered or just not realising that the 4 months between May and August are for taking holidays. So for what could be RBBFC 1’s last ever game before a potential name change (think about it – it’s political), they were down to a bare but quality 11.

On arrival at the ground a quick pitch inspection confirmed that the surface was perfect for RBBFC’s lesser-spotted passing game. For once McGrath Jr. was able to please all squad members with a starting berth although Coco the dog was disappointed to only start on the bench after a vigorous warm-up. McGrath Sr. once again confirmed he had gone soft over the summer with some rather positive words about the team’s ability mixed in with the usual wise instructions.

Wary of starting slowing, for once British got to grips with the game straight from the off. Setting a decent tempo with some crisp passing into feet and movement off the ball, British took control of the early exchanges. Several early moves saw RBBFC get in behind the Irish defence without finding the killer blow but after 15 minutes the chance duly came when the ball was played into Mickey on the edge of the area. Seeing the run from McGeehan, Vadora coolly laid it off and McGeehan steered a low shot into the bottom right corner. 1-0 to the champions! Confidence was now racing through the veins and following a bamboozling bout of tiki-taka, Lamarra laid the ball back to Vadora who curled the ball in from the edge of the area for the 2-0.

2-0 up, cruising, pushing for the killer third goal, yep, you guessed it - somehow the Irish were next to strike. A promising move broke down with the midfield committed upfield and Irlande counter-attacked down the British left. Normally our defensive 3 (or is it 5??) would mop up most such attacks but when Dex tried to go dancehall on an attacker the size of a dance hall for once he came (bounced) off second best. 2-1 at half-time and some ammunition for coach McGrath to work with. Still the half-time message was simple enough, 20 minutes of magic, 10 minutes of madness. Try getting back to the magic and upping the intensity of the passing.

As the second half got underway, the Brits once again asserted their authority on proceedings. Mercelis was up to his usual trick of mistiming his jumps for crosses just to make things look difficult, Bernardo had got to grips with the girth, Mojena in control of everything but the bouncing ball, and McGrath proving that if you have no pace anyway you can play with a groin injury. Lachia and Minne were up and down the wings and Ricketts was repeating his defensive midfield masterclass from last year. With Hodgson and Vadora up front, the plan to get the ball into their feet and get midfield runners beyond them was working well. 5 minutes into the second half and an attack down the left saw the ball crossed into Hodgson who somehow held it up despite getting flattened by his marker. Lamarra pounced on the loose ball and fed McGeehan who this time found the bottom right corner - 3-1 and RBBFC back in control.

The third goal largely killed off the Irish challenge and British spent the rest of the game on the attack but Lamarra, normally so deadly in front of goal, especially against the Irish, was one of a number of players to miss chances. Finally, big Billy Jean launched one of his long throws into the box which evaded everyone apart from Mickey who nodded in at the far post for his second goal to cap a fine personal performance following some motivational words from his personal therapist, J. Mojena.

So, have we still got it? Aye captain, apparently we have and with some improvements still to come. Sterner tests lie in wait but the season is well and truly up and running

Reporter and MOM: Richard McGeehan