K. Stormvogels Haasrode v V.C. Houtem-Oplinter

Belgium

Brabant Provincial 2A V.F.V.

Saturday 25th January 2020

Kick Off 19.30 Actual 19.33

K. Stormvogels Haasrode 1 V.C. Houtem-Oplinter 1, attendance 130

45’ 1-0

53’ 1-1

@ Kartuizerstraat 2

Haasrode

3052 Blanden

€7 Admission

No Programme.

We were staying overnight in Leuven, so we checked in at our hotel before heading off to our evening matches. The driver was heading for O.H.R. Huldenberg in Brabant Provincial 1, but I had visited there in November 2014, so I needed an alternative. Haasrode fitted the bill, as it was an easy drop off en route to Huldenburg, without going too far out of the way.

Haasrode started the game in twelfth place in the league table, whilst Houtem-Oplinter were second, two points adrift of the leaders Sportief Rotselaar. The first half was very dull. Neither team managed an effort on target until Haasrode opened the scoring in the dying seconds of the half, when a shot on the turn from the edge of the box went in off the inside of the post. Houtem-Oplinter went up a gear in the second half, levelling the score with a close range finish after Haasrode had failed to clear a corner. They were unlucky not to nick a winning goal as they were well on top for the last half an hour, twice hitting the crossbar. Haasrode nearly won it in stoppage time though, when they broke clear, but the ‘keeper saved well with his legs.

During the afternoon game it had been misty, but as we headed eastwards, it became more foggy. Although it swirled over the stands for much of the match, it never became bad enough for the game to be under threat of not lasting the full ninety minutes, although I believe that wasn’t the case down the road in Huldenberg!



V.K. Jong Neigem v K.V. Eendracht Winnik ‘B’

Belgium

Oost Vlaanderen Provincial 4C

Saturday 25th January 2020

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 15.02

V.K. Jong Neigem 3 K.V. Eendracht Winnik ‘B’ 1, attendance 81

6’ 1-0

45’+1, 1-1

79’ 2-1

90’ 3-1

@ Windschof

Windschof 25

Neigem

9403 Ninove

Admission ?? (We weren’t charged)

Team Sheet, free.

At this time of year you can never guarantee everything going to plan. We were booked on the 09.20 Eurotunnel, but were loaded on the earlier 08.50 train, which left a minute early. We knew we would get at least three games in over the weekend, but things turned out better than expected.

Our day was starting in the bottom level of Oost Vlaanderen Provincial, where we would see fifth in the league table hosting fourth place. The game was lacking in skill, but was very entertaining. Neigem scored early on and could easily have been five or six goals ahead, but for some dreadful finishing. Winnik levelled in stoppage time, when a long range effort was spilled by the ‘keeper, with the ball volleyed in by a striker following in.

Winnik never really got going in the second half, despite kicking down the slope. The game could have gone either way, but as we approached the final ten minutes, a long ball was played over the top and as the Winnik ‘keeper game out to scoop the ball up, he misjudged the bounce, with the loose ball scrambled over the line to put Neigem 2-1 up. A third goal for the hosts finally made the game safe in the last minute. There was still time for a Neigem player to receive a yellow card, when he removed his shirt as he walked towards the bench as he was being substituted!