Bousval Gennape 1

Disclaimer: this match was a bit nuts, so the order of things may not be entirely correct.

Today started, in true ABSSA fashion with a trek half way across the earth, to the sleepy town of Genappe, famous for briefly being trampled by Napoleon’s army, and for being home to abandoned sugar factories. With light rain falling, the Astro turf pitch expansive in front of us, something was in the air. This was the day to turn our fortunes around. After a rousing speech from Wilf, we which included the words “don’t lose”, we were on the pitch, ready to bleed for each other, die and maybe even score a few goals.

A measured start saw a close tussle with the other team, nothing much dividing the two. We were patient out of the back, finding the wings with ease, but the other team also looked in control. Mid way through the first half Rob managed to get his face on the end of a keeper parry, expertly directing the ball into the net, without knowing much about it. Key battles were being fought all over the pitch, Wilf in particular rumoured to have fouled his man a total of 15 times. The highlight of the first half was an incredible stop from Antoine, making it all the way back to the middle of the goal and getting his body in front of a powerful shot that he had absolutely no right to stop. Kept our lead.

We went into the break in high spirits but aware that we needed to put the game to bed. Starting the second half in style, Rob on the edge of the box showed great composure to slot a ball to Jimmy who took a touch and slotted home a pass into the bottom of the corner. Probably the greatest goal to have ever been scored.

Lads I’m gonna be honest, the PTSD is rushing back as I try to remember what happened next. Shit hit the fan, winter was warm, summer was cold, the grass was blue. We conceded 4 unanswered goals, some sloppy marking, some absolute belting knuckleballs that Antoine should absolutely be stopping, some tough set pieces causing confusion in the box, and a lucky break and chip. To say the mood was low was an understatement. Heads were between our legs.

Then began a session of proper Sunday league shenanigans which including jimmy stroking the leg of his opponent which led to a near hospitalisation. Next was Scott getting absolutely body checked by his man, forcing him off the field, luckily the bench was not far. Then Ushi, coming back from a month hibernation, got a ball to the face, after trying to take it on his chest, which chipped his tooth. Luckily he found the loose chip and had some milk on hand. A lesson for all of us.

Then something changed, the fire in our belly’s lit up, chasing two goals we gave one mission in our mind. Timo sent a beautiful chip into the top corner baffling the keeper. Jimmy did his best to claim the goal but didn’t quite get there, lucky to not be offside. At the restart a couple passes left and right and suddenly Shane, finding himself in a great position one on one, beat his man and slotted home the equaliser. Limbs.

With a final push Antoine sent punt after punt into the enemies third with Irish bodies clamouring to go ahead. With the moment with us we smelled victory. We won a corner and started setting up for the glorious 5th goal, probably to be a flying bicycle from Thor. But alas that dreaded sound, the three whistle blows, and the game was over. The most ABSSA ending you could think of.

Apart from a 15 period of football that would make 11 drunk badgers scurrying around a golf ball look like 2011 Barcelona, we can be proud of our efforts. Beautiful saves from Antoine, gusty challenges from Scott, a goal and an assist from CB Rob, bold distribution from Thor, calm and collected passing from con, intense pressure from Wilf, Tim dictating the pace switching the play, jimmy running around, Shane endlessly chasing, Piet with roaring headers, Ushi not letting the defenders rest, Ben coming on to assert some calm and patience and Lukas making incisive runs down the line. It’s not a win, but it’s a point. We should’ve won but we showed great heart to get back in it. Slow and steady like the tortoise.

4-4. Unlike Napoleon, we did not surrender in Genappe.