Thanks to a 1-0 win over champion LSC 1890, Dalen succeeded in finishing second in the final ranking and has therefore qualified for the play-offs to the first division. HODO and Pesse were relegated on the final day of the competition.
Dalen seemed to have lost the chances of promotion last week. The Drenten needed a victory on Sunday against champion LSC 1890 and competitor Emmeloord also had to lose points against Oldeholtpade. As a miracle it worked out. Thanks to a striking header from Sem Jansen from a corner kick in the thirteenth minute, Dalen won 1-0 against the Frisians.
Emmeloord came back from a 2-0 deficit against Oldeholtpade, but the 3-2 was not forthcoming. ,,We knew we had to win”, said Dalen coach Michel Kerkdijk. ,,During the match I was not concerned with the position at Emmeloord-Oldeholtpade. It was an exciting afternoon. I’m very proud that we made it. For us this was the maximum possible, because LSC 1890 is the rightful champion.”
The tension was also at the bottom of the second division. Beilen already seemed certain of relegation during the winter break, but after a series of good results, the Drents were able to prevent direct relegation on the final day. Beilen won against relegation competitor HODO thanks to a goal from Wouter Dijk in the last minute. Beilen can therefore prepare for the post-competition for enforcement in the second division, HODO returns to the third division after one season due to the defeat.
For Pesse, the grapes were also sour on the final day of the competition. The team of trainer Harm Spijker needed a point against last-placed Drachten. The Frisians took the lead after half an hour in Pesse, but Niek Brinkman scored the equalizer before the break. The guests scored three more times in the last twenty minutes. Drachten passed Pesse in the rankings due to the 4-1 victory and is preparing for the playoffs, Pesse is relegated to the third division.
Zuidwolde already played itself safe last week, so nothing was at stake against VENO. The Drents lost the game 4-0 and ended the game after a red card with ten men.
Valthermond keeps track of the title
Valthermond won 2-0 on Sunday afternoon visiting Musselkanaal. Both goals were scored by Milan Draijer. Valthermond was virtually in the lead for a long time on Sunday afternoon, but heard that WKE ’16 turned a 1-0 deficit against Annen into a victory in the final phase. Valthermond still has a chance of winning the title next week on the final day of the competition. Coach Kenny Koning’s team then has to beat Peize at home and hope that WKE ’16 loses points on a visit to Helpman.
After a 0-0 draw against ASVB, Peize is not yet out of his worries. The Drents are one point behind HOVC and ASVB and have to move up a spot to prevent direct relegation.
Due to a 3-1 away defeat against Stadskanaal, the relegation competition is still the highest achievable for HOVC. Gertjan Spijker gave the Drenten the lead, but Stadskanaal equalized before the break and also scored twice in the second half.