Belgium

West Vlaanderen Provincial 2B

Sunday 26th January 2025

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 15.01

K.S.V. Moorsele 1 K.S.V. De Ruiter Roeselare 3, attendance 101

7’ 0-1

56’ 0-2

62’ 0-3

75’ 1-3

@ Secretaris Vanmarckelaan

8560 Moorsele

€6 Admission

Team Sheet, free.

I was offered a lift to this, which meant doing my first game in Belgium since March 2022! Since that last trip Eurotunnel prices have tripled, as far as day returns go, with this being just over £100 and that was at a discounted rate! With three of us travelling and the fact we were only going as far as West Vlaanderen, softened the blow somewhat. Arriving at the near deserted terminal meant our 0852 departure left on time.

Although the ground here at Moorsele has a synthetic pitch, it has replaced the former grass pitch, so much of the original character still remains. The main feature is the 250 seat stand, whilst opposite there is an area of cover, with three steps of concrete terracing, although the dugouts are plonked right in front of here, so much of the view of the pitch is restricted. You can view from the entire perimeter, bar the small area from the entrance corner up towards the stand, where the changing rooms and clubhouse are, although you can watch from the clubhouse itself, which quite a few did, as it was bitterly cold, so you couldn’t really blame them, whilst the local cemetery backs on to the far end goal.

The match was 2nd versus 16th (bottom) in the league table and certainly didn’t turn out as expected. A quick break down the right ended with a shot that beat the ‘keeper low to the near post to give the visitors an early lead, which turned out to be the only goal of the first half. Four minutes into the second half De Ruiter had the chance to double their lead, having been awarded a penalty, but it was easily saved by the ‘keeper. Seven minutes later they did get a second goal though, when a long ball over the top was finished with an angled shot that went in off the far post and six minutes later it was 0-3, when another ball over the top was chased down and poked past the on rushing ‘keeper from the edge of the box. Moorsele did pull one back with fifteen minutes left, firing high into the roof of the net after an over hit cross was played back into the box.

Despite the defeat Moorsele remain second in the table, three points behind leaders K.R.C Bissegem, with the win for De Ruiter seeing them climb off the bottom, with R. Dottignies Sport and S.K. Nieukerke now below them. Although it had rained at the game, it was far less than it did during our 75 miles return drive to Calais. Although we were booked on the 1952 crossing, we actually got on the 1925 instead.