Vets2 travelled to La Hulpe as top of the league, facing Brussels LTC, the team in second place - the biggest test of the season so far.

RBBFC Vets2 v Brussels LTC (a) lost 2-3

Vets2 travelled to La Hulpe as top of the league, facing Brussels LTC, the team in second place - the biggest test of the season so far. We were looking forward to playing on the smallish AstroTurf pitch at Stade Soyer straight after the vets1 game - but they then told us 20 minutes before we started that the game was actually going to be on the other pitch - a big grass pitch behind the club house. This left a number of the team without their favoured boots for grass, but we just had to get on with it. It was again great to see so much support on the sidelines from Luke, Roman, Ady, Momo and Gustave. (And a number of Vets1 players towards the end.)

LTC won the toss and insisted on changing ends, giving them the slope and wind and sun advantage for the first half. Within a minute, it was clear that we were up against a different calibre opposition than in our previous games. Within 2 minutes their centre forward was through on goal and managed to slide the ball past Johann, but thankfully Roger was able to clear the ball before it got over the line. And for the next 20 minutes they pulled us in every direction as we struggled to cope with their forwards and their supporting midfield players. Every time that we tried to feed Leo or Mike on the wings or Adnane up front, the ball came straight back. After 15 minutes they scored a first, when their centre forward pulled the ball back to a midfielder on the edge of the box. 0-1. And 5 minutes later a second - a tap in after a shot came back off the post. 0-2. Johann had no chance on either.

It was at this stage that we slowly started to assert ourselves. Benoit and Roger were able to get hold of their centre forward, Munish was getting the hang of their winger, and Carl, Nando and Brian started to see more of the ball, and cutting out their possession. They remained dangerous, especially down their left. Johann made a good sliding tackle (!) and easily held on to a couple of long shots, but otherwise we were able to cut out the crosses. And then, five minutes before half time, we finally gave the something to think about. Adnane went through and literally ran rings around their defensive, but unfortunately couldn't get a clean shot. From the resulting corner, Nando went close to connecting with a loose ball. Signs of hope.

The half-time mood was one of relief that we were only 2-0 down. Playing down the slope with the wind and the sun should give us more chance in the second half. (Except the wind had disappeared by the stage.) With Nick coming on on the right wing, we were hoping to give them a taste of their own medicine.

We certainly started better, but struggled to get the ball into dangerous situations. Five minutes in, we got a corner where their keeper caught the ball and Carl's rib with his knee. Bad news for Carl, so on came Milan. No question that we were better, but we still couldn't create much. And they reminded us on a couple of occasions that they could break quickly. With 15 minutes left, Chris Ffinch and Alex joined the fray - with Tom moving to right back. Two minutes later Tom put a great ball down the right wing, releasing Nick, who put in a great cross to Nando on the penalty spot. And our glorious Galician slammed it home. 1-2. Suddenly there was belief. And more and more desperation on their side as they did whatever they could to waste time.

Fed by Tom and Chris, Nick was seeing more of the ball and was skinning his man every time. But we also pressured them down the left. And it was there that a through ball from Mike saw Nando chasing what seemed to be a lost cause, but getting there before the keeper. Was it a cross, was it a shot? It doesn't matter, Nick was there ahead of his man at the far post to tuck it in. 2-2. There was only one team in it now.

We managed to create a couple of half chances, but didn't quite get the rub of the green. At one moment when Nick seemed to be through on goal on the byline, the ref blew for a goal kick (from his position in the centre circle). On another, the ref gave a goal kick when it was definitely a corner. Although they remained dangerous on the break, Alex , Benoit, Roger and Tom had the upper hand at the back. Then with 5 minutes to go the ref gave them a dubious free kick 35metres out after their midfielder fell over Nando's foot. The kick was well delivered into the box where Roger and their 110kg centre half went for the ball. Unfortunately the ball skimmed off the defender's head into the bottom corner. Aaaagh. 2-3.

We pushed and pushed for the remaining few minutes, and they wasted as much time as they could. Just before the end, Milan twisted his knee quite badly in a tackle - and Mike had a problem with his thigh. But we kept trying. And then the ref blew the final whistle.

So, our first loss of the season, but our greatest show of character. On the basis of the first half, we had no right to have any chance of getting anything from the game. But those last 15 minutes were a great sign of teamwork - and the disappointment at such a result is a sign of how far we have come. We certainly look forward to the return game at Rosieres. And we must make a point of telling them beforehand that it's on AstroTurf!

Man of the match voting saw many votes for Tom and Nando, but the winner was sweeper and skipper Roger. With many of the team hobbling with difficulty back to their cars, we will probably benefit from the depth of our squad for next Saturday's game vs Le Tigre.

Team: Eriksen; Awesti (Knott), Houston, Waite, Priest; Ledbury (Sverepa), Sardaro (Northcote), Criado, Lewis (Ffinch), Gutierez; Ahmidan;