Amber Bandringa heads ACV to much-needed win; Orange Nassau remains at the bottom scoreless

Bandringa came off the field beaming: ,,This feels very good. The ball came from Lisa (Velthuis ed.) and I had plenty of time to head it nicely into the corner. The goal came at just the right time.”

The stress, which comes with playing against relegation, seemed to have hit both teams somewhat in the legs and head. They both started with five defenders, especially careful not to get caught in the counterattack. In that concept, the so-called ‘wingbacks’ should provide additional impulses, but little came of it. Oranje Nassau was allowed to build up undisturbed before half-time and then played a lot easier. However, the first chances were for the home team. Lisanne Dik came alone for Karina Köpke, but the marker did not get enough height. Moments later, Dik released Bandringa with a beautiful pass, but he aimed wide. Oranje Nassau took the reins emphatically. ACV’s strong goalkeeper Isabella Slump kept Maaike Stam from scoring and Stam didn’t have a chance for a header either.

ACV takes control of the game

After the usual interruption, Dionne Keizer (first had to go to a funeral) joined ACV in the team for the dizzy Lotte Wijnalda. Trainer Sven Krol hoped for more offensive impulses on the side. You never know whether it was because of that, but ACV took over the initiative completely from the Groningers. Lisanne Dik and Chantal Nijboer were close to the opening goal. ON had a hard time. Concerns were heightened when strong defender Celine Agema stumbled to the side with a serious injury and had to drop out.

Shock Concrete Head

In the 69 ^e minute the decision was made. Dik put back on Lisa Velthuis and her cross split the ON defense like a sharp ax on a piece of wreckage. With a forehead of shocked concrete, Bandringa nodded nicely: 1-0. This to the great enthusiasm of the many fans of ACV, clumped together in the stands and as loyal as an elderly sheepdog. Strongholder and leader of the ACV defense Gabriëlla Hut knew that her team needed this. Hut afterwards: ,,Before the break we were very weak, we didn’t win the second balls, but later it went much better. We’re going to celebrate this with a beer!”

Battle of the Triplets

ON didn’t give up. Changes were made and ACV had to back up. But ON didn’t really get any further than a header chance for Renée Huizinga. Hut was often in the right place and Isabella Slump kept a brave goal. It didn’t really come to a ‘battle of the triplets’, because the triplets sisters Josefien and Jasmin Slump started on the bench at ON and only Josefien came in. The frustration and chagrin of coach Joost Lutke’s team grew by the minute. Marieke Dijk popped a ball, which was already out towards Witterzomer. When ACV captain Laura Heling (‘Yes, I stood in front of the ball with a free kick, stupid’) of ACV ran into a clumsy second yellow card, ON was allowed to give it another try with a woman, but that also ended in many good will and intentions. A few minutes later, even Heling, who first wiped away a few tears, broke into a cautious laugh. The first victory is in.

The zealous midfielder Sanne Beerta of ON shuffled disappointed to the catacombs, head bowed, a desolate look in the fawn eyes, knowing that the foamy golden drink would taste less good this afternoon: ,,Very sour, we won’t finish the chances. . The first half was ours. But after the break we created too little. ACV mainly defends and we want to attack. Yes, zero out of four, that feels really annoying to put it nicely. But it will be fine.”