Small setback on the title comeback for the whites, due to an unfortunate direct free-kick 2 minutes before the end

Line-up: Puig, Si M'Hammed, Rossi, Gunter, Pellegry, Friedrich (Pereira), McGirr, Henriquez, Godefroid (Lo Presti), Van Dijk (Wetzel), Lambers

Another Saturday, another breakfast enriched by the customary WhatsApp banter, spicy videos and our own pineapple's live anthems. The opening fixture of the second half of the season began with a visit to AZUR, a team that frustrated the whites with a 1-0 loss against the run of play back in September.

From the start this was shaping up to be a most satisfying day. A gloriously crisp sunny afternoon and early kick-off enabling a post match El Classico concluding with a hostless house party. Indeed our prolific goalscorer was sent packing to West Africa to audit undisclosed "tangible assets” until next year. In addition, the loss of Muss-Musta-Mussa Belalij through injury would be a big loss in midfield. However, the team arrived confident on the back of a good run, reinforced by the availability of Sioux Van Dijk to lead the line as well as the return of several midfielders from their excursions.

A traditional 433 was set up by Capitano with clear instructions to avoid past errors: DO NOT get caught on the counter attack!

The game started slowly with players feeling sluggish due to the chill in the air. However such numbness was abruptly shaken off thanks to the encouraging cheers from the sidelines particularly from one-armed legend Lolo: "PUTAAAAAAAIN VA CHERCHER LA BALLE FIEU !!!! "

This worked as a wakeup call for RBBFC, gradually gaining control yet without any real conviction or creativity. A couple of corners provided hope but there would no rerun of the Simonesque leap from the previous week. Overall there were precious few panicky moments for either of the defences and both teams lacked a cutting edge.

The second half started in similar fashion with RBBFC unable to feed quality passes to the front three, limiting their impact. Only a handful of half chances were produced. The first came to Horacito Henqriquez, perfectly cushioning a high ball onto his chest, only to scuff his left foot volley wide.

Minutes later, arising from good work on the right, the ball set up invitingly on the edge of the box for McGirr. Attempting to carefully place the shot, sadly failed to combine finesse with power, softly kicking straight at the keeper.

A second opportunity for McGirr presented itself with a free-kick on the edge of the box. Once more the elegantly curved shot landed softly in the keepers gloves.

Finally, swift combination play on the right released Si M'Hammeddown the line who choosing to shoot from a tight angle failed to sufficiently test the keeper.

Reminiscent of recent weeks the defence was unbreakable and solid throughout thanks to the Massimone wall and its two energetic full backs. The defence was easily withstanding any pressure from the opposition allowing RBBFC to push on.

Yet, the Whites struggled to find momentum and intensity in their play. The game failed to flow partly owing to the stop-start refereeing style of the official as well as award winning theatrics from the opposition.

McGirr was appalled yet inspired. Feeling a nudge while in possession, he attempted the infamous roll over and howl trick himself. The farcical execution, far from La Liga experts, nonetheless earned the team a deserved free kick.

The whites hungry for the 3 points relentlessly pressed forward to clinch the winner. With two minutes remaining however, Azur snatched onto a loose ball, quickly breaking forward, halted only by a foul on the edge of the box. The resulting free-kick dispatched hard and low brushed past Capitano's fingertips into the bottom right corner. 1-0 to the home team. The dreaded counter attack ending RBBFC's unbeaten run. A result that left Lambers on the point of spontaneous combustion aiming frustration at the referee yet in truth feeling hard done by the team’s lack of inspiration.

RBBFC will see this as a minor setback, confident of being title contenders with 12 games still remaining. All still to play for: VAMOS WHITES!

MoM and reporter: Mark "Pellegry, Pellegryyyy"