In the opening quarter we see many duels, but no opportunities. Mandel can threaten for the first time on a corner kick: Dhont’s ball hangs, eventually Desmet is able to take a swing, but Van Volcem is well in between. On the other side, Blankenberge also gets a corner kick. Hoornaert is able to take a swing, but his attempt goes wide.
It’s a weak first half, and it gets rough at times. After a foul and a yellow card for Epolo, Mandel gets a free kick. Desot’s shot is too weak and goes far wide. We hope for more and better in the second half.
And that will happen. When Mandel shifts up a gear, Desot pushes through on the left side and can pedal. His shot bounces past. Less than a minute later, a cross from Buysse cannot be headed into the goal. But Mandel continues to attack, without success: a free kick from Demets goes past everything and everyone. It remains 0-0.
Blankenberge is reluctant, but can still get a chance. They try it on a free kick with Vanhulle, but the header goes wide. Mandel responds immediately. A long ball goes towards Desot, who breaks free and hits the ground. It’s hard to see, but the referee gives a penalty. With 20 minutes left on the clock, Demets makes it 0-1 from the spot.
Blankenberge tries to score another point and comes very close. Neto’s header goes just wide. Afterwards, an attempt by Gianni Longueville also whizzes against the intersection.
After a free kick from the home team, Mandel knocked another ball forward, with success. There will be another chance and a goal for the visitors. Gillian Vervaecke decided the match in the tenth minute of extra time and doubled Mandel’s lead. 0-2 is the final score.
Leader Hamme also wins, and so Mandel remains second, one point behind the leader.
