Etincelle FC 1

Pattatencross day in Nossegem and we were in for a rollercoaster. Fasten your seatbelts.

FCI came with an amazing 15-strong group, full of confidence, but also back against the wall: 4 points on the counter, meaning just 1 up from their opponents of the day, bastards Étincelle. All or nothing it was. Faced with the high stakes, Ireland rose up to the challenge from minute one, reproducing one of their favourite training drills on the first play of the game: nice move from the back, ball played down the left wing, Lolo found in the half space, and a back cross to Joao who nets it in with a magnificent left foot half-volley. 1-0 Ireland, game on.

But it couldn’t be that easy. Étincelle pushed, hit the crossbar, and after a clearance in the danger zone, FCI’s old demons soon resurfaced as a lone player at the edge of the box managed to send the ball home right over Maxi. 1-1. Right after that, a missed long pass from the middle allowed Étincelle to send their striker through, and place it perfectly in the top left hand corner. 1-2, Ireland stunned.

But the boys showed no sign of fear or resignation. Heads back up, they went on attacking mode again, and the equaliser came as Deo found Ewan in the box, who converted a perfect low cross-shot from a sweeping 10 meters distance away from goal. New range unlocked. 2-2. FCI thought they were back in the game. But little did they know that the infamous Captain Casino was just around the corner, cape on. A bad touch in an anodyne position, Étincelle got the ball back high, and didn’t miss their chance. 2-3. It’s HT.

And there kicked in the spirit. After all it was only one-nil, isn’t it? The boys remained calm, driven, confident. They tested Étincelle’s defence, kept getting corners, and out of a muddle Matty B managed to find Tarp, who slotted it home in a fox in the box fashion. 3-3! This time we had it. More corners, two close headers from our gambler in chief, and another cross which the keeper only managed to push in front of him. Who was there? Filippo Tarpedo. 4-3.

Still a good 20 minutes to go though. FCI trying to hold the fort, in the manner of Ivar (FCI debut!) who decided to step on his winger’s foot every single time he had the opportunity to, and things were volatile: Joao hits the post, Étincelle get their chance out of a bad pass from the back… and they miss it. Cette fois c’est la bonne. Out of an Étincelle corner, Lolo kickstarts the counter from the left of our box, sends Conor on a 40 meter run to Mars, aiming for the edge of the box… can he get there before the keeper? No. Wait. Maybe. Nah. Oh fuck he may. Wait, wait, he’s there!!! Little flick to his right a millisecond before keeper gets the touch, offering Ewan a double on a plate. 5-3, FT. Wow!!!

Amazing performance, and weddings aside, this is it: we’re on a roll. MOTM Ewan. Now off to the cas’ baby !!!!