Saturday was our third matchday of the season and our opponent was FC Oranje. After last week’s draw against Shooters we definitely wanted to take three points with us this time. In pre-season we had beaten Oranje already very convincingly. Moreover, a good turnout at practice on Wednesday and the fact that we had almost the complete squad ready on matchday made us very confident. To top it all we also got our new kit of away jerseys with us and for the first time in two years we were playing in blue again.

Our starting line-up was Cody in goal, Will and Seb in centre defense, Thomas and Essein on the fullback positions, Luismi and Karsten in holding midfield, Alex and Adam on the wings, Steve in offensive midfield and Volker as a striker. Tobi and Hajo started as substitutes. For the first time we brought Sebastien with us, who was our second keeper for the day. Furthermore we had our rare guest Lee “Curly Sue” Rowbotham here as well who completed our squad.

The game got off to an intense start with most of the action taking place in midfield. Neither team had too many chances in the early stage of the game. Very similar to last week though in minute 18 we got awarded a free kick from a position on the right side, roughly 30 metres from the goal. Also like last week, it was Volker who took the ball and again he proved his skill by hammering the ball straight on goal. The ball went in just beneath the crossbar for a 1-0 lead. We were determined to extend the lead now, however we had not managed to do so by the time referee Kevin blew the halftime whistle.

In second half though we started much more aggressive and dominant than in the first one. Starting from a compact defense we let the ball circulate in Oranje’s half, played our attacks in a very concentrated way and got closer and closer to the goal. In minute 56 keeper Sebastien opened the game with a flat ball over the left side. Alex used all his speed over the wing and quickly got close to the box, where he found Steve in the centre. Steve did not hesitate and put the ball in the net, making it 2-0 for ReU. We were on fire now. Just two minutes later Steve got the ball in the box again and passed it to Tobi. Oranje’s defender pressed Tobi to the outside of the box, but Tobi outplayed him and put the ball back to Steve again, who scored from 10 metres via the inside of the post. It was Steve’s fifth goal in the third match this season and we had the upper hand now. Another two minutes later Steve crossed the ball from the left side of the box into the area of the penalty spot. Tobi used the space he was given there and headed the ball to the right corner of the goal – 4-0. We had no doubt about our victory any more.

However in minute 63 Hajo received his second yellow of the day and got sent to the showers accordingly. Then just shortly afterwards Alex was fouled on the left side, yet as a reflex his hand went to the Oranje defender. Enough for the referee to show Alex the red card and suddenly with two men down the situation looked much more delicate. We were defending heavily now and but managed to keep control of the ball most of the time so as to keep our lead of the remaining playing time. With about 15 minutes left to play Oranje shot on Sebastien, who saved the shot. However the ball bounced back to the striker who shot again on goal. This time the ball passed Sebastien, but Thomas cleared the ball off the goal line. Yet the danger was still on and Oranje got the ball back again. Now they passed it in the centre of the goal and from 2 metres they had no trouble any more to convert to their first goal of the day – 4-1. Yet even with only nine players our defense was quite solid. After a fast counter-attack Tobi managed to get the ball right in front of the goal. The keeper was already beaten and Tobi put the ball past a defender into the net, but the referee decided foul play, so it stayed 4-1. Close to the end then our keeper Sebastien caught a long high ball just before Oranje’s striker could touch the ball. However Sebastiens leg went up and hit the striker, which made ref Kevin immediately point to the penalty spot and show Sebastien the yellow card. Oranje converted the penalty and it was 4-2 now. The last minutes we fought intensly to keep the 2-goals lead, and in the end our efforts were rewarded.

After all this craziness in second half we felt relieved when Kevin blew the final whistle. In the end it was a well-deserverd victory, which should never have gotten this difficult. But seven points after three games are a good start into the season, and the reward came later the day when we learned that we are leading the table, since Shooters and Lions split points in their game.