TEAM: Mercelis / McGrath, Mojena, Minne / Billiet, Brown, Lamarra, Novak, McGeehan /Hodgson, Kellerman

SUBS: Vadora, Lebbink, Heerkens, Legere

It was nice and sunny and we were all excited about playing on a Wednesday night away to Tourinnois out in the Walloon countryside. J5 kicked one of their uglier players in the shin early on, the guy showed off his bruise and spent the rest of the evening chatting to us like an ex-girlfriend who’s had one too many. But things were looking good in the opening exchanges, the plan was working. We weren’t ducking about too much at the back, and we were pinging balls forward quite nicely. Hodgy under the flood lights was plucking them out of the air and linking the play beautifully.

Billiet the Colossus was back and RBBFC were dropping bombs for him to charge on to. On one occasion, faced with a big mean tourines he decided to use the Maarten swivel, which is a stop, a look, kick it 5 yards past em and bulldoze after the ball. He left his man for dead and sent an arrow across the POMO. Hodge pounced and clipped it into the top-left hand corner from a yard. Bang 1-0.

McGeehan was his usual self, and was passing and tackling his way through midfield. Some of his link up play with the Tourinnois forwards suggests that he aint finished with his assists for the season yet. We also found out Novak is a definitely a man you want on your head-tennis team - great in the air - an example to those youngsters and Lolo’s out there.

Didi and Micky came on at half-time and Tourinnois immediately looked more dangerous. In-front of their raucous home crowd they weren’t going down without a fight. Some heavy challenges were coming in and Tommy the recipient of more than one was assured by the ref that he didn't need to squeal each time to get the free-kick. Lamarra made sure they knew we were no pushovers and got booked in the process on his return from suspension.

15 minutes into the second half and Tourinnois were awarded a free-kick. As is their way, they scored with a glanced header at the near-post much to the delight of the crowd.

The game was set, 1-1, 20 mins to go. Dries took off his leather jacket, swept his hair back and entered the fray. He picked up the ball in the left-back position, danced past the first challenge, and strode forward. With everyone willing the dutch man on, he kept going and going, white shirts emerged in support around him, the break was on.

Robby was bobbing & weaving in midfield and wondering why his team-mates did not give him the ball immediately, all the time. But he looked plucky tonight and was riled-up from a scrap early in the half. He received the ball between enemy lines and as Dries went for the gap, Rob weighted a through ball they would been proud of at La Masia. The dutchman finished in true smooth criminal fashion. Bang - the breakthrough we’d be waiting for, 2-1 to us.

With 5 minutes to go, i ran forward and Tommy shouted - TAKE IT EASY at me and I shouted - I WANT TO SCORE back at him. I moved as fast my little calves would carry me and headed for the oppositions box. As I arrived the ball flicked off the defender's head and arched towards me, I kept my eye on it, and flashed a volley across goal, it skidded into the bottom left hand corner. 'YOU BEAUTY' I cried. And everyone was very nice and came and gave me a tap on the head.

Then Lolo came on - looking tanned and relaxed, and passed it around for the last few minutes to help us see out the game. The final whistle blew and Kev shouted down 15 of their local_people supporters. Then the number 15 who’d been moaning all game, said sorry about about all the moaning and we headed for the bar. Over a cbeer we all oouued and aaaahhed over the new COMPOSIL™ sponsored shirt designs and watched Suarez embarrass David Luiz. I wish it could be Wednesday everyday.

MOM & Reporter: Nils McGrath