Belgium

Oost Vlaanderen Provincial 4D

Monday 11th November 2019

Kick Off 14.30 Actual 14.34

F.C. S.K.V. Overmere 3 K.V. Cercle Melle 4, attendance 188

3’ 1-0

9’ 1-1

14’ 1-2

45’ 2-2

63’ 3-2

73’ 3-3

77’ 3-4

@ Baron Tibbautstraat 38B

Overmere

9290 Berlare

€5 Admission

Team Shhet, free.

With today being Armistice Day, it meant it was a Public Holiday in Belgium, so another opportunity to take in an afternoon midweek game. The only problem was, with it being so close to the weekend, there were very few games moved from Saturday or Sunday, but we managed to hunt out what we think was the only first team match in the country today. In fact, it was only due to a club function being held at Cercle Melle yesterday, where the players were all involved, that meant them requesting the game be played this afternoon and luckily Overmere agreed to the change.

The match looked like it could be a good one too, as Overmere started the day in fourth place in the league table, with Cercle Melle one place higher, although they were 10 points adrift of the top two. The drive down through Kent, then through France and on into Belgium saw almost constant rain, but as we got within ten minutes of Overmere, it began to brighten up and it was more a case of showers for the match and we even had patches of blue sky appearing towards halftime. Despite the damp weather, a crowd of close on 200 is pretty impressive for what is the lowest level of the Belgian pyramid.

Overmere opened the scoring with their first chance of the game, after just three minutes, but Cercle Melle were 1-2 in front just eleven minutes later. There could have been a hatful of goals for both teams, but chances went begging. Overmere levelled it up at 2-2 with almost the last kick of the half, when a left wing corner was fumbled by the ‘keeper and the ball was forced in from close range, Overmere edged in front just after the hour mark, but Cercle Melle still looked well capable of turning things round for a second time, and having made it 3-3 with seventeen minutes left, they scored what turned out to be the winner just four minutes later. On balance, they probably deserved it. Although lacking in skill at times, there was certainly no lack of effort and it was certainly top marks for entertainment value.

There could certainly be no criticism of Eurotunnel today. Our outbound train this morning left on time at 08.50. It was a bit disappointing, having arrived back at The Tunnel in plenty of time for our booked 19.20 return crossing, to see that the 18.50 train was cancelled, so no earlier return than what we were booked for, but at least we left a minute early and all the motorways were running without problems for the drive home from Folkestone, which capped off a good day.