Line up:

K.Mercelis

D.Bernardo, J.Minne, B.Thom

D.Doner, A.Hodgson, L.Novak, R.McGeehan, M.Billet

M.Costa, N.McGrath

Very strong bench: T.Godeau, S.Lachia, J.Gimeno Blanco, S.Lamarra

Since I had already the report saved from last November, same pitch same club, let’s make it easier and give me the pleasure to write few lines about another important victory of RBBFC against, guess who, LTC. True is, this is my first report about LTC2 (out of four).

Away from home with an earlier kick-off, against the "cousins” of the second in the league and right before their game: a very nice combination of events to test our guy’s will to win.

Preparation for the game was taking serious, surprising no jokes or books, probably too hard to catch at lunchtime. Instead, a very detailed speech from our coach John about every single role’s duties. Starting from the back, the importance of our "beautiful hair” Kris and his help in keeping the defense high. The crucial role of the defenders Dex, Jean and Ben to decide, in a matter of seconds, if the nearest pass is the best choice or if it’s time to go into the flanks. Midfield trio with Rich, Luka and Hodge, a mix of stamina, timing and good touch that can move the ball around fast enough to tire the counterpart. Two external midfielders, Daniel and Maarten, as a perfect pendulum: supporting the attach phase and covering in case of no possession. Upfront the most important and difficult task to achieve in football: score goals. From Champions league to ABBSA, by quoting John, this stays as the most important and complicated thing to do and based on recent stats, we couldn’t agree more. The "Plant based duo” Nils and Martin seemed to know that it’s going to happen today.

The game starts and at the very first minute Daniel receives a ball, wrongly passed from their goalkeeper, and has the chance to score, but a second touch is too pretentious and gives the defender the time to fix at the mistake.

We have to wait only 10 minutes to see their goalkeeper makes his second mistake by wrongly control a back pass and accidentally serve Richard, who is fast enough to lob him with a very nice first touch. 1-0 for the good guys.

The game runs under control, with a very intense manoeuver from our right side, where Maarten, normally busy in smashing crossbar and/or goalkeepers, is really inspired to serve insidious crosses into the box (and then complaining a bit about the static nature of our plants, well sorry, plant-based strikers): a bad touch from Nils, a not too strong shot from Martin and a late run from Daniel deny a possible safer 2-0.

No dangerous from LCT2 that suffers the physically strong defense of the whites and their ball possession. Nothing special to report till the end of the first half, but a very curious 5 min of craziness from our captain, who decides to kick some balls around without a specific reason or secret tactic.

The second half starts with a more intense pressing and envy to score from the locals that try to move more players up front, looking for a good freekick or chance, in general, to equalize.

Joaquin for Daniel and now crosses start to be served from both sides.

A very good sacrifice from Hodge, playing a little lower than usual, is helping the ball recovery and ball possession. His predominancy in the middle zone was repaid with a couple of not-that-legal hits around his face, but a bleeding nose didn’t stop our warrior.

Freshness from the bench, Steve for Luka and Thomas for Martin. "Precious time” Godeau smells the possibility to close the game. Just after a couple of minutes, Dex intercepts a good ball, he sees Thomas already available in front of him and with a straight pass he serves him on the run. Thomas, able to cover the ball from the attack of a defender, moves on his left side and gives the assist to Nils, who proves a very simple concept: you have just to be the right man in the right place, at the right time, and you’ll celebrate a goal! That was it, 2-0.

Unfortunately, Thomas’ game stands for only 7 minutes, an unlucky movement on his weak ankle obliges him to leave the game. Not a problem if you have a very strong bench and you can put Sylvain "au revoir” upfront to defend the ball and .. well actually I can’t guess John’s directives at this point.

The solidity of the RBBFC team didn’t leave any chances to the locals until the end of the game. With a lovely clean sheet and a temporary +5 on top of the league, the good guys can enjoy the following game LTC1 vs Coin du Balai (spoiler alert: 0-2).

MOM & Reporter: "I got 99 won and the next will count” Dex