FOOTBALL – The five hundred accompanying supporters from Emmen celebrated after the game at De Vijverberg against De Graafschap (1-1). The draw of the Drenthe club turned out to be a winning point, because competitors FC Volendam and Excelsior lost tonight (to TOP Oss and Almere City).
Due to the results, Emmen is now seven points clear of FC Volendam and the gap to number three, Excelsior, has grown to nine points. With five games to go, Dick Lukkien’s men once again take a big step towards promotion.
royal
FC Emmen had a hard time in Doetinchem against a very energetic De Graafschap, which made playing football impossible for Emmen for a long time with a lot of struggle and passion. In the fifteenth minute, after the home team was allowed to take three corners, it became 1-0. Joey Konings simply rounded off a measured cross by Giovanni Korte with his head. Incidentally, that pass could have been given very easily.
Mendes with number six in a row
After that, the guests got more grip on the game, although great opportunities were not forthcoming for a long time. But just before the break, who else but Rui Mendes came out of a box after an eye-pleasing pass by Jari Vlak. With a simple touch, Mendes passed De Graafschap goalkeeper Hidde Jurjus: 1-1. It was his sixth consecutive goal for the Portuguese attacker and his twelfth in total this season. At that time FC Emmen played with ten and a half men, as Mitch Apau was badly injured in his ankle.
Good news from Almere and Volendam
After the break Miguel Araujo came to relieve the injured Apau. The Peruvian was on the bench because he did not return from international obligations until this afternoon. As a result, the strong playing Keziah Veendorp moved on to the right back position. The second half brought plenty of perilous moments for both sides, but both teams were unable to find the net. Korte was close twice for the home team, while on the other side Ole Romeny shot past after a hard long shot from Jeroen Veldmate.
The most positive news came from the other fields in the second 45 minutes, as Volendam lost 2-1 to TOP Oss and Almere City scored three times against Excelsior after the break. As a result, FC Emmen, without winning, became the big winner of the evening in the Kitchen Champion Division.