Pea and Ham soup and a game of two halves!

By Dave Lees

Was a normal Saturday morning but later in the day things got different.

First of all we had a team bonding pre-match get-together at the house of Willy Swartjes. Pea and Ham soup, tomato soup, sandwiches. Tea, coffee, biscuits, chocolate and fruit (courtesy of Rommel), were on the menu. Many thanks Willy & Anne!

This all led up to the Match against top of the league Cosmos Molenbeek. The last game against them was a heated game to say the least ending in several black and blue ankles for us, and a narrow win for them, courtesy of a rather one-sided referee. So when it came to the Nekker reencounter and no official referee the same guy was quick to volunteer.

The pitch was fine and the sun shining.

The third team were one player short and took our only sub Fady leaving us with the bare 11.

The pre-match talk was about winning and nothing else!

When the game started the pre-match speak was working! We came out fighting, ready for action, defending and playing football. Was probably the best first half of the season?

Jess and Jason were winning everything in midfield; Marc P was like a man inspired. Bengt, Gerry, Fran and Marco defending well. Everyone was working like Trojans. Fortunately Dave Lees in goal didn't need to touch the ball. Well maybe twice.

When Marc P won a ball in his own half, he passed wide to the left wing for Willy. Cosmos defenders stopped shouting for an offside that never was. The ref didn't blow, so Willy took the ball forward some 20 metres then passed inside to Sean Nevin. Sean then, coolly nearly lost it, and seemed to take an age to tuck the ball passed the approaching keeper. So 1-0 up after about 15 minutes.

We are completely dominating everything. Winning the ball, passing it around etc. What the hell was in that Pea and Ham soup?

Several other chances came our way. Corner after corner we won. Crosses into the box, headers over the bar, missed headers and far too many misses to mention. We should have been on top at least 3-0 at half time except 1-0 it was.

At half time we were full of praise for our efforts. Cosmos returned to their dressing room with the ref - no doubt for a briefing!

Whatever was said in that dressing room worked!

They started the second half running at us. The pea and ham soup maybe wearing off?

Then when a ball was lost down the left and passed inside over 25 metres out. We didn't close the midfielder down. The Cosmos midfielder's looping shot floated over Dave Lees, leaving him static and disheartened. So equal it was and all to play for!

Sean Nevin pulled a calf muscle but, with no subs he is forced to carry on.

Cosmos now start with similar tactics that they use in the first game against them. Basic cheating, kicking players and aggressive attitudes.

So when Marc P makes an interception on the edge of our box, curiously the ref awards a direct free kick. Fortunately, the shot goes well wide of the right post.

Willy, then Rommel get kicked in the air with no sound of a whistle heard.

Then disaster with 10 mins to go. A ball gets swung over our box, the attacker just in front of Bengt gets the slightest of a head to the ball. Enough, however to deflect the ball towards Fran. However, the ball takes a cruel bounce and goes direct to the bald headed attacking captain. Who slots passed Lees. Cosmos hold on to the end and it's a defeat that shouldn't have been for the vets.

Team: Lees, Thomas, Mulholland, Llung, Martiniello, Poissonnier, Dixson, Peckham, Swartjes, Nevin, Zahr
Subs: You're joking
Scorer: Nevin
MOM: Poissonier