Billed as the 'Game of the season' top of the table clash, first against second top of the league.

Both teams turn up with three subs and everyone is eager to be part of the action. After a week of snow, pitch looks heavy, muddy and grassless. With a nice clay mound on the penalty spot at one end and puddles at the other end. Not the best of surfaces for a game of football.

Yes! football is what the first vets old timers have been trying to achieve this season but not today. As LTC, from the outset shut them down at every occasion. Even Willy had the best full back that he has played against for many a year up against him. LTC were tight in midfield closing us down and we never really got time to play our normal passing game.

As for the flowing game. The ref' made sure that also did not happen. He was more concerned with people shouting or fowl throws than dirty tackles. The foul throw count was at least 20 with numerous rounds of beers due for the forthcoming weeks.

An early Nevin near post header from a McInnes corner scraped the top side of the bar and it was obvious luck was not going to help today. Several other chances were thwarted but the silver fox did what he does best when another McInnes corner found him in space just inside the box. His shot almost screamed into the opposite corner. One nil up but LTC were certainly on the attack. They seamed to come in droves coming at the defence constantly and Dave T in goals had to play his game of the season to stop all that came his way. The ones that he missed were stopped by our tight defence. Maybe not the prettiest football but working so far!

However, Lees took a throw in to Dixson but a LTC midfielder intercepted and put the ball down their right wing. The attacker got himself in front of Nevin but Nevin stumbles and unfortunately clips the heels of the attacker who threw himself to the ground very easily. The ref gave a penalty despite a similar call on Mergim earlier at the other end was denied. Dave T saved the penalty but three LTC players encroached in the area and one of them tapped home the rebound. Mergim, the silver fox and McInnes all hit the bar. While Lees cleared a goal bound header off the line at the other end.

10 minutes to go and the ref booked McInnes for shouting (the only time he had voiced opinion in the whole game). Then two minutes later after kicking the ball away after a free kick was given, when play on should have been called, the ref sent McInnes off for two yellow cards. 10 men but we managed to hold on to a deserved draw.

A very good hard fought game and in the dressing room after the game the LTC guys were singing 'British champions'. With the foul throw count high several beers were consumed in the Kraainem bar. Obviously, far too much in fact for the vice captain because the famous vets biscuit tin was left behind in the bar only for it to make a mysterious appearance at a golf course in Mons on Sunday morning!

Team: Turner, Llung, Nevin, Mulholland, Lees, Bajraktari, Dixson, Murray, Swartjes, McInnes, Cain

Subs: Martiniello (Llung), Hadad (Murray), Reilly (Bajraktari)

Scorer: Cain

MOM: Dave Turner