FC Emmen disappoints the public with a defeat against TOP Oss

For three matches, the same eleven players received the confidence of FC Emmen coach Fred Grim, but after the defeat in Venlo last Friday, the coach made another change. Julius Dirksen returned to the starting line-up against TOP Oss on Monday evening at De Oude Meerdijk. Not in his favorite spot in the heart of the defense, but as a left back. Dirksen’s return came at the expense of Jeff Hardeveld.

In FC Emmen’s relegation year, Dirksen was allowed to appear as a left back several times and he often scored in that position. As a left central defender, the Amersfoorter proved to be reliable this season and increasingly emerged as the leader of the team.

Four chances

Anyway, against TOP Oss, Dirksen was back on the field as a left back. And least favorite position or not, it was Dirksen who created the first danger after three minutes on Monday evening. The youngster fired at goal from about thirty meters, but his effort was stylishly knocked out of the intersection by TOP Oss goalkeeper Mike Havekotte.

Dirksen’s blast was the first of four Drenthe chances in the opening phase. Joey Konings hit the post from a cross from Desley Ubbink via the keeper, Robin Schouten saw a long shot turned away and Maikel Kieftenbeld failed to score from a returned ball.

Goal TOP Oss, disallowed goal FC Emmen

After the four chances there was a sudden silence – also in the stands. The match continued until TOP Oss striker Abel William Stensrud headed home from a measured cross. FC Emmen was briefly off the lead and the Brabant team had a slight dominance for fifteen minutes.

After just over half an hour, FC Emmen seemed to be on the same level. Konings tapped in a cross from Ubbink, but in his movement towards the ball he slightly hit a TOP Oss defender, who lost his balance. Enough for referee Martin Pérez to disallow the goal. It was the last moment of excitement in the first half.

Red Scholte

Grim intervened hard at halftime and brought in three fresh forces with Faris Hammouti, Jorrit Smeets and Bradly van Hoeven. Shortly after the start of the second half, FC Emmen was given an opportunity to level the score. Konings cleared himself nicely in the penalty area, but then curled the ball just wide.

Ten minutes after the break, FC Emmen suffered a major blow when Ben Scholte had to leave the field after an awkward sliding on the ankles of Xander Lambrix. FC Emmen was then unable to hurt the Brabanders. The Drenthes claimed two penalties in vain, but Pérez wanted nothing to do with the alleged fouls on Konings and substitute Maarten Pouwels. The public quietly protested. Only after the final whistle did the FC Emmen fans make themselves heard again. The booing that descended on the players from the stands of De Oude Meerdijk was loud.

Belching

With the home defeat against the low-ranked TOP Oss, FC Emmen shows that the interruption of the miserable series with victories over SC Cambuur and Willem II was nothing more than a regurgitation.