By Helen Cadwallender
Gathering at the pub before the match, the girls seemed up for the match ahead, Coach had even had a shave - well it was a cup match after all! And what's more a cup match against Kraainem ladies (aka t'other expat team). We were all glad to have the 'Label whore' (Gibbo) and Frances back in the team and were raring to go!
On arrival at Kraainem's ground, and after a bit of confusion as to how to enter the changing rooms, we settled in and began to prepare for the match. Gibbo was on fine form as always, informing us of the problems she has with contact lenses due to her pointy eyes - following which Ramster and Caz launched into a rendition of 'Pointy eyes' (to the tune of dirty dancing's Hungry eyes!). Coach proceeded to do the team talk and then we dashed out of the changing rooms to begin the much-needed warm up (it was bl**dy freezing out there!). The ref called us back to the clubhouse to check our boots and then we all proceeded onto the pitch.
The whistle blew and Kraainem had a short spell of possession but British quickly fought back and launched an attack. The pitch was pretty slippery in places due to the rain; a strong wind also meant that playing the long ball was not an option. British remained in possession for most of the first fifteen minutes only for Kraainem to hit us on the break and score, which was disappointing. We didn't let our heads go down and were eager to get on with the game. Then the heavens opened and it started pouring with rain - we had the wind and rain in our faces and visibility was pretty bad. Ale had some great possession of the ball on the right wing, passing to Caz who then crossed to Ana followed by a cry of 'run Ana run'!. Midway through the first half Helen intercepted the ball from a defender, passed to Ana and it looked as though we had a great chance only for off side to be called. The rain persisted and the mud bath continued. Kraainem had some good possession of the ball but were repetitively hindered on their attack by some brilliant sliding tackles from Ramster. But alas about 20 minutes into the first half they scored again. Even at 2 - 0 down we were still confident that we could get the goals back. British were putting a lot of pressure on the Kraainem goal. Frances did some great runs down the left, Maaike won possession crossed to Helen who managed to get a head to the ball (falsely perceived by her team mates and spectators as a shot on goal!) only for it to go wide and be kicked into touch by a Kraainem defender. Caz took the corner but British were unable to take advantage, Kraainem won the ball and so the play continued until the whistle went for half time.
Coach gave some encouraging words during the half-time talk and we all agreed that we needed to slow down a bit, panic less on the ball, get into space and just get out there and score. The weather had improved, it had stopped raining just before half time and the wind had diminished somewhat so we felt positive for the second half. Helen was to come off at half time to be replaced by Gibbo. Oh and Maaike who had been somewhat vocal in the first half informed us that the referee had told her he didn't mind her swearing! - Thumbs up to the referee then! - and so the "Godverdomme"s continued into the second half!
Back on the field, it was looking promising and British seemed to have calmed down a bit and their passing was good. Again, we had some good attacking play with runs down the right and left wings from Ale and Frances. Caz had a fantastic opportunity just on the edge of the penalty area but sadly the ball went just wide. It sent a reminder to the opposition that they hadn't won the match yet. But Kraainem hit us again on the break and scored their third goal fifteen minutes into the second half. They made a substitution shortly afterwards and the player with the plastic bag on her head (to prevent her hair getting wet?????) was replaced - had she never been taught the dangers of suffocation? Kraainem's number 6 was causing problems on the left throughout most of the second half but Rachael took her out ten minutes before the end. She seemed to have an injury to her lower leg but then the referee noticed that she wasn't wearing shin pads! The injured player came to sit with us in the shelter while she recovered, at which point with her sock rolled down Kelli, Helen and Sharon all noticed that she had nothing short of a forest growing on her leg!!! Play continued and Kraainem were down to 10 for the rest of the match but British just couldn't get that lucky break despite a lot of hard work. About 5 minutes from the end the ball was kicked down the left towards the penalty area by one of our mid fielders and cries of 'run Gibbo run!' could be heard coming from the Coach, but not even Forrest Gump could have managed that! And so the match ended at 3 - 0 which was not really a fair reflection of the game. It just wasn't our day and we couldn't seem to hit the back of the net.
But that wasn't quite the end! Being a cup match meant that regardless of the result there had to be a penalty shoot out (don't really understand why). All was not lost as British showed that they can take penalties better than the England team and went on to win it 4-2 with some great goals from Frances, Ale, Caz and Ramster and some fantastic saves from Franci. So all was not lost and we still have to play them in the league where it really counts!
Oh and I must just dedicate a few lines to the post-match banter in the pub during which the "Label Whore" (Gibbo) got her name. Coach confused the much loved 'Belgian' detective Poirot with Borat - easily done (????). Oh and Gibbo let slip that she is rather handy with a pair of hair straighteners - watch out Jean Louis David!
Man of the match: Ale
Runners up: Frances and Jackie
Squad: Franci, Tish, Rachael, Ramster, Jackie, Ale, Caz, Maaike, Frances, Helen, Ana
Subs:Cora, Kelli
