NEC Delfzijl was 3-0 too strong for neighbor Holwierde in the semi-finals of the post-competition for a place in the third division.
A large audience had come to the Eemsdelta derby and that was not surprising. Only six kilometers separate the two sports parks from each other. And of course there was something at stake. Holwierde was able to promote to the third division and NEC Delfzijl would like to stay in that division.
Four times is a charm
In the end, the visitors from Delfzijl took the win and that was deserved on the basis of the entire match. Despite the heat, pressure was put on quickly from the start and most duels were won. In the first half hour they could have taken even more distance, but it didn’t seem to be Devante de Windt’s game at that stage.
The handy attacker left no less than three nice opportunities. His first attempt was stopped by Holwierde goalie Robbin Kuipers, the second he aimed much too high and the third, a vicious header, tapped Kuipers wide of the goal. Fortunately for him, ‘four times’ was a charm in this case. A not exactly seething shot from about fifteen meters rolled surprisingly into the goal through a melee of players: 0-1.
Only in the last ten minutes did the power flow away a bit and Holwierde was also able to create an attacking threat. A free header from Peter Bouwsema ended up in the hands of NEC goalkeeper Bas Westerhuis and the brothers Sander and Robbie ten Hove could not pass the closing post from close range either.
,,We were the parent, but before the break we did get away well a few times”, NEC coach Roy Kamps admitted. “Fortunately, we scored ourselves shortly after the break. Apart from a few headers, we didn’t give much away after that. If we play in the final like today, really as a team, then I’m confident.”
Danger by air
Shortly after the restart, Jeffrey Roeters fought his way past two of Holwierde’s defenders and placed the ball cleverly in the far corner: 0-2. Now Holwierde had to show character and it did. Danger was created especially by the air. For example, one striking header was rejected (offside), one disappeared over the crossbar over the goal and two others just missed the right direction.
In the final phase, Sem Switynk signed a counter for the 0-3 final score. Holwierde, which previously relinquished the title by losing the last three league matches, now remains fourth division.
NEC Delfzijl can still save the day in the final against ONR from Roden on Saturday.
Holwierde-NEC Delfzijl 0-3
Scoring progression: 17. De Windt 0-1, 48. Roeters 0-2, 90. Switynk 0-3.
Yellow card: Tualena, Sowikromo, Roeters (NEC Delfzijl).
Referee: Atema.
Spectators: 400.
Holwierde: Kuipers, Sonneveld, Van der Broek, Bouman, Kraan, Sander ten Hove (75. Stubble), Kuiper (71. Geurtsen), Visscher, Paapst (71. Tuil), Robbie ten Hove, Bouwsema.
NEC Delfzijl: Westerhuis, Noordhoff, Slijngaard, Klasens, Tualena (57. Kombrink), Waaijenberg (57. Zimmerman), Sowikromo, De Windt, Switynk, Boersema (83. De Boer), Roeters (65. Camedo).