There is no shortage of excitement on Saturday evening in Volendam. With a lot of battle on both sides, the very entertaining relegation battle between FC Volendam and FC Emmen ended in a very important 3-1 victory for FC Volendam. Benaissa Benamar, Bilal Ould-Chikh and Daryl van Mieghem scored for the home team. The win takes Volendam further away from the relegation zone.
With fresh and energetic football, FC Volendam had quite a few opportunities in the initial phase against the number sixteen of the Eredivisie. Especially Daryl van Mieghem and Henk Veerman were close to an opening goal. The last Volendam player was surprisingly in the base at the expense of Robert Mühren, who had just recovered, who started on the bench. Trainer Wim Jonk could not have the suspended Brian Plat and Geatano Oristanio. The Italian midfielder has to grumble for three more games after the ruling of the disciplinary committee earlier this week.
Pole
FC Emmen had the greatest chances in the second part of the first half. First a nice long shot from former Volendammer Jari Vlak. And shortly afterwards Mark Diemers hit the inside of the post from a difficult angle. Until halftime, Wim Jonk’s team had nothing more to say in their own home and the Volendammers were allowed to close their hands that they were going to rest with the goggles.
With Damon Mirani for the disappointing Florent Sanchez at the start of the second half, things didn’t go any better at FC Volendam. Immediately after the kick-off, the team from Drenthe scored. FC Emmen striker Ole Rommeney took advantage of the defensive fumbling at the home team. His effort was eventually converted into an own goal by goalkeeper Filip Stankovic.
Volendam on the attack
After that, FC Volendam took control, partly due to the substitutions of trainer Jonk. There were many offensive intentions, with possibilities for Veerman, Josh Flint and Oskar Buur. This, in combination with the hard work, paid off moments later, as Benaissa Benamar headed a Van Mieghem cross neatly against the ropes, 1-1. In the final phase, the Volendam team kept pushing. And that also resulted in goals. First Bilal Ould-Chikh and in stoppage time Daryl van Mieghem decided the game.
With that, FC Volendam gives a fellow relegation candidate a firm blow. The difference with FC Emmen is now five points. Volendam is equal in points (23) with the number thirteen in the Eredivisie, Vitesse.
Because of the win, FC Volendam remains number fourteen in the Eredivisie. The difference with ‘the stripe’ is now five points. Next week Jonk’s men will visit leader Feyenoord.
Line-up FC Volendam: Stankovic; Neighbor, Mbuyamba, Flint (Walid Ould-Chikh/65), Benamar, Murkin; Eiting, Sanchez (Mirani/46); Van Mieghem, Veerman (Mühren/77), Antonucci (Bilal Ould-Chikh)