HEADLINE

By Bengt Llung

Team First Half: Walecki, Thomas, Nevin, Mulholland (c), Lees, Egerton, Dixson, Peckham, Zahr, Hunter, Cain
Sub half time: Ljung in, Thomas out

Team Second Half, beginning: Walecki, Ljung, Nevin, Mulholland (c), Lees, Egerton, Dixson, Peckham, Zahr, Hunter, Cain
Sub: Poissonnier in, Mulholland out

Team Second Half, end: Walecki, Lees, Nevin, Ljung, Poissonnier, Egerton Dixson (c), Peckham, Zahr, Hunter, Cain

Scorer: Hunter
MOM: Hunter

FIRST HALF:

The two colossi of British football in Belgium -- albeit of a more venerable vintage -- collided with a mighty bang on a splendid Saturday afternoon, like two evenly-matched sumo wrestlers.

The two opponents were pushing and shoving, both searching for a good grip and both skilfully closing off any openings. They proved to be two well-organized sides without any weak spots. The result was a tight game with few chances.

Brussels British had come to the game brimming with confidence from three initial victories at the start of the season and a goal difference of 14-1. British United brought more of a mixed bag of results, one for each column in the three matches played before that day.

Yet, it was clear from the first kick that this would be a very different game from the one-sided affair back in United's hectic weekend of preseason friendly games, when Brussels British cruised to a 5-0 win.

The match was fast-paced with good passing movements. But defenders were almost always able to stop attacks well away from danger. After a few minutes, goal keeper Marian Walecki, on his debut for First Vets, stretched to tip a hard shot over the cross bar. From then on, he had little serious work to do for the rest of the game, besides the unpleasant task of emptying his net.

United had the better start. Sean Nevin collected a ball in defence and sent it out of danger, hitting Gerry Cain's head, who flicked it on long. The central defender of Brussels British was first to the ball, but another First Vets debutant, Stuart Hunter, chased him down and deftly stole the ball. Hunter continued with greater pace towards goal and coolly tucked the ball away in bottom corner. 0-1 to the guests.

Then United fell back and lost their momentum as Brussels British realized they had to raise their game. Warning bells began ringing. Brussels British attacked down United's left side and played the ball in to an unmarked striker, who shot high from close range.

The equalizer followed. While Rommel Zahr ever-so timidly was pointing out to the ref how his opponent repeatedly misunderstood what he should be kicking, Brussels British quickly set the ball in play and lifted it behind United's defensive line. Brussels British gangly left winger made a diagonal run and placed the ball under the on-rushing Walecki. 1-1.

More followed. Again the ball was played in behind the defensive line, where the Brussels British striker twisted and turned on the left side of United's penalty area, only faced with Captain Gerry Mulholland. That should have put the fear of God into him, but he still managed to fire a shot (maybe it was pure panic). It turned out to be perfectly placed in the top right corner of Walecki's goal. 2-1.

United had one decent chance to come back that half. During a quick counter attack, a good cross was played in from the right corner flag. Hunter headed the ball down low, but just outside.

SECOND HALF:

At half time, Bengt Ljung came on for Fran Thomas. The character of the game remained the same, with United growing in strength. The match was hard-fought in the midfield and defences were tight. Chances were still very few. United's best chance fell to Nick Egerton while the opposition's keeper was flapping around out in no-man's land. Egerton blasted a loose ball toward the empty goal, but a defender emerged at the last moment to clear the shot off the goal line.

Ball possession tilted more in United's favour as the half progressed. The game almost turned into a siege of Brussels British goal, but United were not able to break their rivals defence. When Zahr shot from a tight angle, the opposition goal keeper was well-positioned and made a comfortable save.

As the game wore on, the warm weather began to take its toll. Errors began creeping into the passing game.

"We have 20 degrees and sunshine today - that's a heat wave by Scottish standards," said an Englishman in the audience, who wished to remain anonymous.

Fresh legs came onto the field in the form of Marc Poissonnier, as the captain stepped off.

Then, what often happens in football, happened again. While United was throwing all its effort forward to equalize, moving central defender Nevin into the midfield, the team on top scored. Brussels British gained possession on the right side of United's half. They played the ball diagonally to the deserted left side, where a sprinting striker struck despite heavy pressure from Poissonnier. 3-1.

Post-game comments were full of recriminations. This was a game were a draw would have been fair, and a win quite possible, United players agreed. If the team could repeat the same skill and determination shown today, and maybe an ounce more of smarts, it would surely collect plenty of wins in coming games.

Any dogging doubts whether British United would be able beat any team in this league were duly buried this day, suitably in the Rosieres pet cemetery close by.