In a wild second division game with six goals, Darmstadt 98 defeated SpVgg Greuther Fürth. Darmstadt is knocking on the top of the table, Fürth remains in danger of relegation.
In the 4-2 win in front of 17,000 fans at the Böllenfalltor, Fraser Hornby (11th/63rd), Isac Lidberg (58th) and Merveille Papela (78th) scored the goals for the “Lilien” from Darmstadt, Noel Futkeu (38th/52nd) scored for the “Kleeblatt” from Fürth.
With the win, SV98 climbed to third place, at least temporarily, with 25 points, while Fürth slipped to 15th place with 13 points and has now conceded 34 goals.
First half balanced
The Darmstadt team had the first good chance and almost took the lead. Sergio Lopez brought the ball sharply into the middle, where Isac Lidberg backheeled it to Yosuke Furukawa, who was lurking at the far post. But Lukas Reich slid into the ball in desperate need.
But the 1-0 win wasn’t long in coming. With a simple one-two, Darmstadt outwitted the entire Fürth defense. Lopez then played the ball into the backcourt to Hornby, who immediately shot unstoppable from 15 meters.
Anyone who thought there could be an easy game for the favorites was mistaken. Because the people of Fürth also played along. First, Julian Green failed with a powerful shot from the second row past goalkeeper Marcel Schuhen, and a little later he was lucky to be able to fish out of the corner a failed save by Hornby, who was flying sharply towards him like an arc lamp.
Fürth became stronger and pushed for the equalizer, and then it fell. Kai Klefisch caught Felix Klaus in the penalty area and referee Max Burda awarded a penalty, which Futkeu converted. The equalizer was well deserved at this stage of the game. The score went into the break 1-1.
Futkeu shocked Darmstadt after the break
And Futkeu and Fürth stepped up after the break. Klaus crossed from the right into the back area, where Futkeu received the ball with his back to the goal, turned briefly and then hit it straight into the corner.
The joy only lasted for a short time. After a corner, things became confusing in the Fürth penalty area, Lidberg caught his foot in a sharply shot ball in the hustle and bustle – and the score was 2-2.
Darmstadt turns things up in the second half
And Darmstadt followed up. Substitute Marco Richter and Hornby strolled through the midfield much too unchallenged, the Scot simply shot from 25 meters and put the SV98 back in the lead.
Shortly afterwards, Timo Schlieck put in a brilliant performance when Fabian Nürnberger finished after a high ball to the far corner. The goalkeeper directed the ball onto the crossbar and then scratched it off the line. But a little later he was powerless. At a corner from Richter came Papela headed the ball unchallenged and made it 4-2 – the decision.
Darmstadt in Elversberg, Fürth against Bochum
Darmstadt will be guests at SV Elversberg on Sunday lunchtime (1:30 p.m.). Fürth welcomes VfL Bochum on Saturday afternoon (1 p.m.).