Line-up : R.Eyssartier; T.Golightly, M.Guarnaccia, D.Spada, B.Thieffry; S.Friedrichs, S.Springob, A.Gary, J.Petersen; S.Van Dijck, D.Mineo

Subs : L.Miniucchi

Cold afternoon in Rosière – RBBFC 2 faces FC Ireland to confirm first leg victory and supremacy over the Guinness drinkers.

It is also the beginning of a week that could bring 9 points to the good guys and make a great leap forward in the 2A division.

Captain Daniele gathered a warrior team to keep to good attitude witnessed during the last game against top of the league.

Lilas (GK)

Tom – Massi – Davide – Ben

Spencer

Gary – Jacob – Stef

Sioux – Daniele (Cap)

Luca was on the bench ready to come in and Melina was covering 3rd team failure as delegue (warm thank you again).

And finally, Sir Andrew Ferguson was also there to bring a bit of professionalism and Scottish class on the bench.

The pitch was bad as expected but passable and game was of course ON. Warm up was short – the referee was apparently looking forward to watching the battle begin.

RBBFC started well, even very well indeed, passes and spaces were found and FC Ireland had very little opportunities to bring the danger in our box.

After 10 minutes RBBFC confirmed its domination – Jacob managed to find Sioux in the right of the box who didn’t miss the target with a delightful low cross-shot. 1-0.

RBBFC wanted more and they had the opportunity to kill the game a few moments later. A cross from Gary found Daniele alone in the box… but the state of the pitch didn’t allow him to hit directly and this let the keeper the time to recover and save his side.

The Whites had another great chance before the break, after a set- piece, Daniele was found at the edge of the box. His shot was pure, powerful and on target,… maybe just too much as he found the keeper gloves instead of the back of the net.

FC Ireland started to react slowly before half time with a few crosses that didn’t really worry the strong white defence. Ben and Tom were annoying their wingers while Massi and Davide were clearing the balls coming in.

Break was whistled after one of these.

Strong and positive talks during half time to keep the motivation and the attitude and it was already time to go back to the battle… unfortunately without Tom that had to give away his position because of an painful injury. Gary moved back and Luca came in as right winger.

2ndhalf started more tensed and balanced. FC Ireland was managing to keep more the ball but the best opportunities were still for the whites. On a long ball, Daniele was going to challenge the keeper on a 1on1 but he went fast out of his box to deny the chance.

Domination period for RBBFC was gone and FC Ireland was determined to give everything and to come back in the game during the last 30 minutes. White block would have to remain strong until the end.

They started to come closer to the whites’ goal. On a corner kick, the ball was cleared but arrived on their striker’s feet on the edge of the box. His shot was on target but Romain was alert enough to deflect it over the crossbar.

A few minutes later, a cross was again saved just before FC Ireland header.

Fc Ireland was threatening again and another cross was deflected … right on FC Ireland winger. But Romain didn’t let him the time to adjust his shot by diving in his feet… saved.

RBBFC tried to stop the downward spiral and to go back forward. On a counter attack, a good cross found Daniele alone on the second post. He placed a very good header that was brilliantly saved by their keeper.

That was the last chance for the whites.

10 minutes left for the Greens to save 1 point from their visit to Rosières. The battle was intense as all RBBFC’s players were on their yard, giving everything to defend their minimum lead. But despite all these efforts, FC Ireland managed to create chances.

A deflected shot was close to the post but Romain dived to put it wide. Right after Fc Ireland had another chance with a vicious shot that Romain managed (again J) to save with fingertips.

On the following corner, the ball went on the far post, they managed to place a header that was slightly touched by the keeper hand and luckily hit the crossbar…

It was written that RBBFC would keep the clean sheet and the referee finally blew the finale whistle.

1-0 - Finale score ! That was more than enough to please the whites and enjoy the celebrations and beers!!!

Zizi was very content indeed !!!

Next game next battle. No doubt that with this state of mind form the entire team, this season will keep bringing victories.

1-0

Goal – Sioux

MOM and reporter : Romain No Cry