Eleven of United's Band of Merry Men assembled at the James Joyce unaware of the epic voyage which lay ahead of them. Roger's GPS system was primed and ready to lead the intrepid voyagers across deserts, through mighty mountain ranges and across oceans to the Shangri-La inhabited by the eternally young Well Team. This was unfortunate because the ground was only a few kilometres across Brussels as the crow flies. The unforgettable expedition is illustrated in the satellite photograph taken by US spy planes whose own GPS systems had mistakenly led them over Brussels airspace.

The team finally arrived to find Oli and Chris, who had arrived two weeks earlier, jumping up and down with the news that Well Team only had 9 players. A quick calculation showed that the 10% number advantage translated into 100% in age and 1000% in weight. Things were looking good! The ever professional captain Costella delivered a powerful speech telling his team to guard against complacency as he handed out cigars, whiskey and newspapers to read during quite moments in the game. The team took this to heart and headed to the pitch (thankfully without the use of Roger's GPS) in determined mood.

In fact the pitch turned out to be a swamp but United started strongly, apparently unnerved by the possibility of hippotomi (plural of hippo?) enjoying mud baths under their feet. Captain Costella and the versatile Orchard warmed the bench during the first half whilst Vansteelants wonder strike from the right edge of the penalty area after only 3 minutes warmed the United hearts following a neat assist from "Papa" Murray. 1-0! Feeding on the confidence of this goal the football started to flow and United pressed forward without finding the "killer" finish with which to take command of the game. The quality of the opposition was apparent, though, and they began to threaten with fast, incisive counter attacks. One of these attacks left United outnumbered down the right hand side and, despite desperate defensive lunges, Well Team created and finished a well-worked goal. No chance for Goalie-on-the-Field-Captain Eldridge (Jon for short). 1-1. Undeterred, De Nekkers finest sons pushed forward and created two chances which almost turned the game their way. The first involved fantastic work by Harris on the left and a low cross which was met firmly by Vansteelant, but the keepers fine saved foiled the "Belgian bullet"s fine attempt. Just minutes later Khan raced clear of the defense only for a last-ditch defensive tackle to deny his glory. However, the youthful zest of Well Team was all-too-obvious in the lightning-fast breaks and they caught United out twice in two minutes with intricate moves culminating short- and long-distance strikes. 1-3, and suddenly United were facing a Himalayan mountain (which is, of course, rare in Belgium).

Half-Time. Well Team 3 British United 3rds 1

After a rousing half-time talk, Costella threw himself and Alex into the fray. The former bench-warming boys added steel and stability at the start of a hard fought second half (in which the Home Team increased to 10 in number - surely this shouldn't be allowed?). Lots of stuff then happened which involved tackling, passing, shouting and shooting (I believe this is called football) but both goalkeepers were relatively untroubled (at least visibly!). However, with just a few minutes left on the clock those "pesky kids" sealed victory with another intricate move and crisp finish. 1-4. Never-say-die United continued to drive forward, though, and they were rewarded when Addinall produced some great skill inside the home penalty area and laid the ball to Khan who finished sweetly. 2-4. Shortly afterwards the whistle blew and it was all over. A disappointing result against very good opposition.

Full-Time: Well Team 4 - British United 3rds 2
Team (not in order of handsomeness): Jon, Thomas, Chris, Jules, Luis, Dave, Oli, James, Ahmed, Wim
Subs: Tony, Alex (on at HT for Chris & Luis)
The day was rounded off by a tightly contested "foul-throw/missed sitter" drinking competition in which Murray & Harris downed pintjes in 10secs(ish) and Wim finished only 3 minutes behind...We must win next week!
Foul-Throws: Murray
Missed Sitters: Vansteelant, Harris
Man of the Match: 1st: Dave, 2nd: Oli
BUFC Scorers: Steelants, Khan