RBBFC 1 vs Ster’s

This week we were treated to a rare early kick-off at 12:30 in Evere, taking on league newcomers Ster’s - who have settled into the league admirably and were not to be taken lightly. After a big effort last week in the top of the table clash vs Choule, and with a somewhat depleted squad, this was a game that could easily have tripped us up. Complacency was the enemy lurking in the background this week and it was important to ensure our usual high standards to keep it at bay: these are the games that can win or lose you a league title. It was a perfect Autumn day in Evere – fresh and sunny. The boys were in good spirits on arrival even as it became apparent that Fede had forgotten / eaten the half-time snacks. Not even a chicken wing in sight: chien. It was great to welcome Martijn into the dressing room, a well-deserved call up and a demonstration of the depth of talent right across the club.

Starting XI:

Fede

Nico – Matthias – Seba

Josh – Robin – Wannis - Martijn – Andy

Dani – Boni

Bench: James and Daniel

Gaffer: Tarik (avec Luka)

1st half

We began playing into the wind in the first half but started the stronger of the two sides in the first 15mins. Martijn slotted into the midfield trio with ease and, along with Robin and Wannis, dictated play in the opening exchanges. We enjoyed a lot of width with Andy and myself pushing high from the wing-back positions and Boni and Dani were stretching their defence. We played a nice mix of possession football, building the play, and also chancing some long balls over the top which Boni, Dani and myself nearly got on the end of a few times. We tested their keeper a number of times but didn’t create any clear-cut chances. Ster’s to their credit grew into the game with some tidy play in the midfield which stretched us at times and created a few chances. Our back three remained solid, sweeping up any sniff of danger, with Fede a commanding presence on corners – punching from danger one more than one occasion. But we could have easily conceded as Ster’s enjoyed a period on top. As half time approached and perhaps some concern was beginning to set in on it being ‘one of those days,’ we kept pushing and kept calm – playing some really nice stuff. The breakthrough game about 10mins from half time. A Fede long ball was controlled my myself out wide before being knocked back to Nico, to Rob, to Martijn, sweeping out across to Andy – brimming with confidence after his first goal for the club last week. Right on the touchline, Andy floated in a perfect, inviting cross towards the back post (with his left foot no less). I was coming in from wide-right and judged the ball was going to fly beyond Dani who had drawn one of the CBs with him. I leapt above their full back (like a salmon if I do say so myself) and bulleted a header into the net. 1-0 and a beautiful thing on two levels: 1) it was a fantastically worked team goal; and 2) it was a huge moment for Catholic / Protestant relations in Scotland and Northern Ireland with the combination of Pope Andy and Orange Josh. A sucker punch second goal game in quick succession. A signature Robin pass split the defence to put Boni through on goal. Coming in wide from a tight angle Boni played a perfect pass (shot) across the face of goal leaving a tap in for myself at the back post. 2-0 and an accidental assist for Boni. We went in at half time honestly a bit fortunate to be 2-0 up but we took our chances well which hasn’t always been the case and is a good sign.

2nd half

The second half started as the first ended. Neat, tidy football from us and good control of the game. Ster’s kept pushing to try and find a way back into the game, knowing the next goal would be crucial. But our defence remained solid, eager for that clean sheet. We had a few more chances, drawing some saves from their keeper. Daniel and James came on for Wanis and Andy mid-way through the second half and added some intensity. The third goal game with another great passage of play down the right with a throw in for us leading to a delicate ball over the top to Boni out wide, who cheekily did some short of mid-air backheel to me, allowing me to pick up the ball, swivel past the defender and play a left footed pass (can you believe it) into Dani on the edge of the 18. Dani then finished into the bottom left corner with his usual conviction. That same conviction shown by Dani remained elusive for me as I tried to be clever when through 1:1 to dink the keeper for a hat-trick; and toward the latter stages of the match, again through 1:1, dragged a slot wide when I had Boni begging for a square ball for a tap in. Poor from me but now you know how it feels Boni! This decision would haunt me in the showers and post-match beers after. We remained in total control for the second half and were honestly cruising for most of it. The game was won in the first half and we saw it out professionally if not impressively in the second half. Overall, this was a professional performance with some nice football played as well. The first and third goals in particularly were really well worked team goals and a demonstration of what we can do when we play patience football. I had been a bit worried before the game about the number of changes in the squad against a team lower down the league. But the performance and conviction to get the 3 points underlined the strength and depth of not just the first team squad but also the wider club, with Martijn slotting in with ease. Last year we dropped points in these sorts of games; this year we are tighter at the back and increasingly taking (most) of our chances. We have another gear to go but we are ticking along nicely. As usual, it was an absolute pleasure to play with this team and the MoM was the cherry on the cake. Thank-you all and let’s go again next week and every week.

Your MoM. Josh (so selfish) Norton