Belgium
West Vlaanderen Provincial Cup 1/8 Final
Friday 1st November 2019
Kick Off 14.00 Actual 14.05
K.F.C. Eendracht Hooglede 2 K. White Star Lauwe 2 (4-5 pens), attendance 89
13’ 1-0
26’ 1-1
52’ 1-2
84’ 2-2
@ Oude Rozebekestraat 55A
8830 Hooglede
€5 Admission
Team Sheet, free.
It was All Saints Day in Belgium, which meant teams without floodlights could play their match during the afternoon, which was perfect for us. We had two options today, here, or an all Provincial 3 tie at K.S.V. Kortrijk. Hooglede are also in the third level of West Vlaanderen football, lying in 11th place in 3C, but the visitors, from Lauwe, are sixth in Provincial 1, so this looked the more interesting tie.
Hooglede went in front with an effort that just about crossed the line, according to the Linesman. A combination of an injury to a defender and a repair to the back station of the goal, that was dislodged during the attempt to clear the ball, meant a delay of five minutes before we got back underway. White Star were level before the half hour mark, but it remained 1-1 at the break. They edged in front early in the second half when the Hooglede ‘keeper made a save, only to see the ball hit a defender running back towards goal and the ball rebounded off him into the net. It looked like this might be enough for them, but following a late spell of pressure, Hooglede deservedly equalised, with a free kick that the ‘keeper should really have saved at his near post. No extra time here, so straight to penalties to decide the winner. The first eight kicks were scored, before Hooglede sent their fifth kick sailing high and wide and Lauwe netted their final kick to go through to the Quarter Finals, thereby qualifying for next seasons Belgian F.A. Cup in the process.
For once, Eurotunnel actually ran to time. If only this could become the norm. Having had a clear run down to Folkestone we arrived in plenty of time for our booked 09.20 crossing, so were offered a place on the 08.50 instead, which left two minutes early. The return was much the same. Instead of our booked 18.50 train back, we were offered the earlier 18.20, which left four minutes early. Even the M20, M26 and M25 were clear for the drive home.
