To all overseas, national, regional and local followers of Vets 2.

During a week of traditional knock out UEFA football I wanted to hold back our match reports because let's face it, there is only so much football news you can absorb. Or at least that is what my wife tells me.

Well, another record run. After three successive 3-1 victories we had some rough games ending with a 3-2 loss and a 2-2 draw.

Everybody expected more against Avia who we drew with on the first match. No selection problems, Vets1 on a bye, 16 guys rearing to go. Best pitch of ABSSA, Duisburg military center surrounded by stables and tennis courts. These troops are not going to the Baltics or Ukraine anytime soon, they stay here to protect the Brussels suburbs.

A solid start with a quick goal from Mark did not have the desired effect. Instead of pushing on and staying focused it lulled us to sleep. A quick counterattack and we were level. Quickly followed by another goal, 2-1 down at halftime. We brought in reinforcements and committed to fight back but this was not our day. A high freekick had Mazza on the backfoot and after his initial save their forwards pushed through and got the 3-1.

In an all or nothing attempt we switched to 3-4-3 to exert more pressure which helped and got us to 3-2. The unorthodox ref (tip for our delegue, feed the man in black some Duvels before the match) did not break a sweat or do more than a light jog. So he missed a lot but was not unfair, until he cut the game short and saw Vets2 off with a 3-2 loss. Three in a row, cancelling out our previous good form.

Alex MoM and good goals from Mark and Timme

An opportunity for revanche came last Saturday against String Penelope. Anybody naming their club after Odysseus's wife (look it up) unmentionables does not deserve a point at RBBFC home turf. Rearing to go, we had 13 including Laurent who brought his son, thinking that would secure him a place. A great start again with a solid goal from Ffinch's left foot, inside the post and 1-0 up after some good combination play and 8 minutes in. That bodes well. Our plans to finally get a clean sheet were scuppered soon after after a lucky header from their midfielder who cleared a goalkick but straight into the path of their quick forward. One touch and a hard high shot right of Mazza, out of his reach and 1-1. Unfazed we kept at it. Soon after we were rewarded for hard work and good team spirit, a nice combination up front gave their defender no other option than to put it behind his own goalie under pressure from Timme. 2-1 for the good guys.

Second half changed the game in their favour. Fresh legs and more danger up front pushed us back, combined with the wind against we now had most of the game on our half. And they owned midfield plus every second ball which kept us under pressure. Before long this paid off, a corner did not get cleared and after a goalmouth scrimmage they fired from 5 yards: 2-2. Both teams had decent chances afterwards but at the final whistle, 2-2 felt fair. Back on the board after a drought and within reach of the Irish, now dubbed Game of the season. MoM Bas and a goal from Ffinch plus o.g.

Next week we're away to Pangloss, dead last in ABSSA, who robbed us of points earlier in the season. So fans, here is the scenario: we beat Pangloss, get equal on points with Irish and then use the Easter break to get sharp for the match against the green monster, the Emerald enemy.

Train when and where you can, stay fit and keep the optimism for our next match. I am sure our team manager, head coach, captain and designated motivator will all join forces to perfect our preparation and lead us to a win.

Finally some historic quotes from our last games:

Carl, we were playing good and had a positive attitude until you showed up. What is the Vets2 policy, when I come to the game will I play? I forgot about the closure of the Tervuren roundabout Making a fist and punching the ball away to safety is a rare skill for some goalkeepers I recorded the whole game but the quality was bad. You mean the game, aesthetics of our chosen 11, resolution of the camera, what ? Can I buy the round and you do the report ? Don't get angry with each other. We are vets 2 and make mistakes La nuestra squadra no piu passare che short passes va fangulo or something When is our next bye so I can let Putin know I will be in Riga that week I don't care you are captain and lead our defense, stop telling me what to do Can you play up front ? Yes I did so for the first 350 games of my career and scored 30 goals. All in the first 30 games We have run out of shirts, can you draw a number with tape ? What do you mean I am the last man on the left, I am in midfield! Did we win all games when Jeppe played ? Think why you are here on a Saturday and own it. Daddy, when it was 2-2, why were there no penalties?