Line up: Puig, Rossi, Bon, Skoniezki, Pellegry, Wetzel, Ricketts, Legere, McGirr, Deschamps, Mineo / Subs: Golightly, Pereira, Gonzalez;

After a long absence due to the Belgian authorities clamping down on fun, RBBFC 2’s returned to action against Besace, looking to bounce back from 2 defeats in a row that had seriously dented their hopes of winning the much coveted ABSSA Division 2B for 2016.

RBBFC faced a team that they had beaten 3-1 at the start of the season. Whilst RBBFC had reason to be confident given the outcome of the previous match up, the previous game had been a very fortuitous result on the back of some skiddy grass coupled with sh*te goalkeeping.

RBBFC also had to deal with the loss of one of their recent stars in James Philpot, who had been called up for his first team debut. Philpot had been the man of the match the last time RBBFC entered battle, and aside from his obvious qualities, Philpot’s absence left the team devoid of pace, and sent the average age of the squad dramatically upwards.

The game started with a controversial incident for RBBFC. El Capitano was lucky to stay on the pitch after misreading the bounce of a long ball forward, leading to him appearing to handle outside the box. Replays would show El Capitano should have gone, but it would have been harsh given the impact it would have had on the game. However, rules be rules – Especially in Belgium, and El Capitano should have gone. RBBFC breathed a sigh of relief.

Aside from this initial hiccup, RBBFC started the game in the ascendency, enjoying both superiority in possession and territory. However, in true amateur football style, the pitch was proving to be a great leveller, making it impossible to ever have a "clear” chance as any contact with the ball required a significant amount of guesswork went into where the ball would actually be. RBBFC were particularly struggling without their Brazilian striker, Claudinho, who had been school in playing samba football on dustbowl pitches, with a ball consisting of tied up carrier bags in the favelas of the picturesque Rio de Janeiro.

The game looked to going against RBBFC as a stonewall penalty was denied when McGirr was brought down after rounding the keeper. Sheepish looks came from the opposition players. Bemused ones from RBBFC.

Even in these challenging conditions RBBFC managed to find a breakthrough as their superior quality, mixed with their combative steel shone through. The breakthrough came after some direct "route one” football led to Mineo having the ball between the opposition lines, and with centre-backs split from Mineo’s sensual movement. Mineo used the opportunity to slide the ball into the path of Deschamps who in turn slid the ball beyond the on-rushing keeper. 1-0.

However, for all their dominance, RBBFC were soon to be disappointed as they conceded a sloppy goal just before the break. The goal was reminiscent of so many that RBBFC have conceded this year. A cheap free-kick conceded mid-way into their own half, that was way poorly defended. The ball deep into the RBBFC box wasn’t claimed by El Capitano, and a clash of bodies led to McGirr leaving his man, and unfortunately the best player in the Besace side, to nod in the easiest of finishes inside the six yard box. 1-1.

RBBFC were rightly disappointed going into half time being level, and the wily-fox Legere was visibly apoplectic with the cheapness of the goal they conceded. Some may say Legere was unnecessarily whining, but a man of Legere’s experience does not say things unless they need to be said. Mineo needed to buy boots with studs, and El Capitano needed to come for that cross. Le Belgique Oracle had spoken. He would later attempt use this experience to make a move on McGirr’s polish girlfriend. Time will tell who will win out, but with such a fine moustache, McGirr should be worried. Either way, Pellegry is waiting in the wings.

On the back of two defeats, the fear of international terrorism and the pain of ABSSA bureaucracy, RBBFC could have easily have cowered, but they came out fighting. RBBFC had looked adversity in the eye, and came out stronger, playing some great football, and creating a number of chances. However, the pitch was continuing to hamper efforts to put the ball between the posts.

Besace began an anti-football campaign against RBBFC, who had become increasingly camped in their own half. McGirr was getting infuriated by the numerous niggling challenges, and lack of the protection from the referee. McGirr picked up a booking as he resorted to his native (and only) tongue to tell the referee what he thought of his abilities to officiate an amateur regional Belgian league game. Yellow card.

El Capitano looked at the options he had at his disposal on the bench. The bench looked backed at El Capitano. The conditions favoured the introduction of an auxiliary forward, and Thomas Golighty had the size to literally fill that mould.

El Capitano’s tactical intervention paid dividends, as Golighty did as he was told to. Presumably the defence has expected that Golightly was going to do as his name suggested, but his naming appeared to be was just a ploy as he did just the opposite, as he won the ball from a RBBFC throw-in and laying the ball into McGirr’s path. McGirr then perfectly knocked the ball across the box in the perilous gap between the defence and the keeper to allow Deschamps to knock the ball into an empty ball. 2-1. Take that Besace, take that ABSSA, take that Monsieur referee, take that Belgian authorities, take that ISIS, take that Polish girls #jesuischarlie

noussommesrbbfc

3 points and job done. RBBFC 2s were back to winning ways.

Next week, RBBFC 2s face Ettekijs back at Rosieres, hoping to continue their winning ways, capping off the calendar year with 3 points and looking to strengthen their campaign for the title. More so than other weeks, 3 points will be vital to keep spirits high ahead of the annual club visit to the Christmas markets at Leuven.

SPOLIER ALERT RBBFC smashed Ettekijs and smashed Leuven.

MoM and Reporter: Alistair "My girl" McGirr