Annen continues to convert after victory over Roden

‘How wonderful it must be to be a football player this afternoon,’ thought many visitors who walked into the Annen sports park around half past two. A nice temperature, a very light rain shower on a smoothly shaved lawn in a wooded area.

Almost envious. However, in the opening phase, Roden, with ‘star’ Michel Wardenier on the bench, looked like toddlers at the first fire alarm at school, who did not yet understand that it was an evacuation exercise. After just two minutes, Pim Veltink scored an excellent attack: 1-0. Annen’s danger mainly came from the right side, where Pepijn Knol constantly fooled his opponent Steinar Miedema (transferred from TLC).

Knol not only prepared, but could also print. After missing a great opportunity, Knol doubled the lead after fifteen minutes with a beautiful marker. A nice shot from Sven Boersma preceded it and goalkeeper Tarick Kalfsbeek had to let go: 2-0.

Fresh game

Trainer Jouke Jan Meertens, who still has a contract until mid-2025, enjoyed his team in that phase: “We were playing very well before half time. We created eight chances with fun and fresh play. When they gave more pressure we still had a hard time. But that’s how it always goes. We gave away two goals completely unnecessarily in the final phase.”

After the disappointing opening, Roden’s chastened coach Paul Raveneau (who came over from Zuidlaren) looked at whether he had gambled away his last savings and was thinking about taking measures. Miedema disappeared to the side disillusioned and Rik van Dijk was allowed to try to neutralize the Knol danger. Raveneau also rose from the bench to emphatically coach his disciples. Annen came under pressure, but it didn’t get any further than a shot from Hugo Steenbergen on the fists of goalkeeper Daan Boer before half time.

Saturday football

At the start of this year, Roden was already prepared for the switch to Saturday football (from 2024-25) with the arrival of Erolind and Getuar Derguti from VVG and Nathan van der Graaf and Martijn Goedemoed from Be Quick 1887 on Saturday. The team managed to avoid direct relegation last season through a miraculous escape, but things still went wrong in the play-offs and so both teams are also opponents in the competition.

After the goal change everything was different, Annen was no longer able to make well-thought-out attacks. Getuar Derguti scored a penalty, took it himself and his kicking technique never failed (2-1). Annen felt as safe as a piece of meat in a doghouse with the shrunken lead and the equalizer was in the air.

But Annen survived and found space again. Jan Jaap Mulder first missed an opportunity to settle the matter, but moments later he scored neatly from far away: 3-1. Dolf Nijborg increased the celebration with a nice goal (4-1). The books seemed to be closed for Roden, but with many substitutes it still came close. Nick ter Arkel and Hugo Steenbergen brought back the tension – at least – on the scoreboard.

Satisfied trainer

Trainer Meertens was very satisfied: “What do I expect from this season? We participate at the top. Together with Rolder Boys, GOMOS, Valthermond, Helpman and Roden. Those six teams decide who will be champion.” Annen starts with an away match against the unpredictable Forward, while Roden visits Musselkanaal. The two teams will meet again in four weeks, again in Annen.