K. Standaard S.V. Denderleeuw v Zeveren Sportief

Belgium

Oost Vlaanderen Provincial 2A

Sunday 8th March 2020

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 15.02

K. Standaard S.V. Denderleeuw 2 Zeveren Sportief 3, attendance 84

41’ 1-0 (pen)

59’ 2-0

63’ 2-1 (pen)

66’ 2-2

86’ 2-3

@ Stadion Armand De Pelsmaeker

Walleken 18

9470 Denderleeuw

€5 Admission

No Programme.

The driver and the other two passengers were heading for a game at Brabant Provincial 2 club V.C. Leeuwkens Teralfene today, which I had visited back in January 2015, so I needed to find an alternative. I came up with the match here in Denderleeuw, which despite the two grounds being only two miles apart, it is in the province of Oost Vlaanderen.

The match was 10th versus 9th in the league table, so it didn’t have a lot riding on it, but it turned out to be a cracking match, eventually…… It was a pretty dull first half, which apart from each team hitting the woodwork, there were few chances. Denderleeuw were awarded a very soft penalty just before the break to go in 1-0 up.

Five minutes into the second half Zeveren had a man sent off for a ‘last man’ foul just outside the centre circle. Nine minutes later it was 2-0 and it looked to be all over, but far from it! Four minutes later Zeveren had a shot come back off the post, but the ball wasn’t cleared and a handball during the scramble to clear the ball saw them awarded a penalty. They duly scored and it was very much game on. Within three minutes it was all square at 2-2, when a shot beat the ‘keeper at his near post. Denderleeuw then looked to regain the lead, hitting the crossbar twice, but couldn’t break the resolute defence down. Zeveren played very effectively on the break and their three strikers put in one hell of a shift. With four minutes left, a corner was played short and an exchange of passes ended with a shot rifled into the bottom corner of the net from the angle of the 18 yard box. It was nothing less than the visitors deserved, taking all three points, that certainly didn’t look likely with half an hour left.

Our outbound 09.20 Tunnel left a minute ahead of schedule. We were booked on the 19.50 back, but with the Eurotunnel being very quiet when we arrived at check in, we were offered a place on the 19.36 instead. Even better, we managed to then ‘tail end’ onto the 19.20, which left three minutes early. Arriving back in Kent earlier than expected meant we were ahead of the nightly closures on the M20. Result!

Above : Denderleeuw go ahead from the penalty spot.