British united 7

Match report – Game 1 – Vets 2 v BUFC 7

So the big day finally arrived.. first game of the season against our friendly rivals British United. The day got off to a bad start when we got news that the turds had to forfeit because their ref considered that the white lines on the pitch were too hard to see … don’t tell the Brits … careless talk and all that … the guys from Nossegem waved away our complaints and pleas .. but lucky enough, we had no official ref and the game got underway .. Ireland lined up 4-4-1-1 with Laurent in goal and a new look back 4 of Damo Martin Benoit and Cedric. In centre midfield Rafa and Luuk, Antonio and Bobby on the wings, Gustavo helping us out at nbr 10 and Oscar in his customary position up front. In the opening exchanges Ireland took the game to the Brits as planned but that didn’t last long .. we were a bit disorganised, British players were going unmarked, mistakes were being made, we were under constant pressure for a period of about 10 minutes. Some of the mistakes should have led to goals but we were saved a couple of times by Laurent and by some wayward Britsh shooting .. gradually though Ireland took back control .. the midfield trio asserted their quality and started combing well with the wingers and striker, spreading the ball around, creating chances. When we didn’t have the ball we pressed them hard to regain possession and force errors. Bobby had clearly taken the captains email to heart and was close to vomiting at one point. Exactly what we want. After about 20 minutes Oscar chased a loose ball on the edge of the box getting to it at the same time as the keeper who handled the ball outside the box. Free kick and yellow card, should have been red. Rafa took the free. Sent it high over the wall, it dipped late, sneaking just under the bar with the keeper unable to reach it. Beautiful goal. 1-0 to Ireland. 7 minutes later Oscar gambled that the defender would screw up a tricky back pass, nipping in to steal the ball and finished well. 2-0.
At half-time Alan came in for Gustavo as planned, Pietro for Cedric. Cedric had an excellent half in his first game as a defender, passing out of the back with great composure and using his speed and strength to good effect when defending.
In the 2nd half Ireland continued to dominate, with all players involved in passing moves from back to front and switching play nicely from one side to the other. On one occasion Benoit raided up the pitch beating 3 or 4 players and almost scoring. On another occasion it was Luuk who made a great run and then unleashed a powerful shot from about 20 metres which crashed into the net off the underside of the bar.
3-0
Bobby then went close, he ran past the the defender, one on one with the keeper his shot was saved.
But the Brits got one back, a nice passing move ended with their striker scoring from close range. They went close again after a poor Irish pass across the back was intercepted but Laurent was quick off his line, made himself big and blocked the shot. For the last few minutes Ireland managed to regain control and retain possession to see the game out and secure an important victory.
MOTM Rafa, well deserved.
Many thanks to delegue Bart, great to have him back..