For this first game of 2019 Vets1 played at home against Tourinnois. Despite the rainy start of the day, the pitch was remarkably dry which wasn’t really a good thing. Anyway, V1 had a good squad available for this game and was ready to continue the so far successful season.

In a 4-5-1 formation, with Miquel as lonely striker, we started the game and within 5 minutes our Portuguese samba striker took on their entire defence before chipping past the onrushing keeper: 1-0 for the good guys. It all looked good so far! Not much later though misfortune hit us, when our Italian stallion Robbie twisted his knee and had to leave the game (get well soon Robbie!). Simon took his spot at left back.

Tourinnois recovered from the initial shock caused by the early goal, and started to control the game more especially via some of their strong midfield players. Vets1 should have been warned by a Tourinnois offside goal, but still, not much later the 1-1 was on the scoreboard after a bit of sloppy defending. 1-1 half time score.

During the second half the pressure of Tourinnois kept mounting. Still the Whites tried to cause danger with some counter attacks (mostly long balls towards Miquel), with the best opportunity for Cian after a great ball through from Lolo. Unfortunately a Lukaku-like first touch put our captain in a difficult position to get a shot in. At the other side of the pitch our defence (Roger, Lars, Cedric and Simon) held ground firmly giving almost no opportunities to Tourinnois to get through. At one point though, a scrimmage in front of Luc’s goal, it looked like the opponent scored the winner but (to everyone’s surprise) the ref ruled it as ‘no goal’. 1-1 end result, and a few beers for the ref!

A great team effort by the Vets1; a lot of hard work left us within another point in the bag!

MoM: Bas Belfi.

Team: Tholoniat - Cabaret, Christensen, Waite, Salvel (Yearsley) - Belfi, Legere, Duvnjak (Ledbury), - Knight, Rice, Lopo Estrada (1-0)