Noordscheschut is physically in control of Grijpskerk. ‘Our boys are not up to this. These are butchers

Trainer Rini Jurna van Grijpskerk did not want to make excuses afterwards, but did point out the role of the referee: “I never judge the man in black (by the way, referee Dobma whistled in a green shirt with short sleeves, ed.), but he allows very dangerous charges. I brought in Brian (Tefi-ed.), but he had to leave because of an injury. I knew what football is like here and had warned them. This is not our football and our boys are not up to it. We have too many light players. These are butchers!”

‘Nothing given away against a good striker’

Colleague Berry Zandink did not like this and pointed out Grijpskerk’s height: “They have the best air force, but we have that too. We could and did fight. We didn’t give anything away and that against a very nice striker, who also has an eye for people running.” That striker is called Joost Schoenmaker and is the top scorer in the class. The hope for many goals was justified anyway, because both teams scored an average of more than three goals per match before the winter break. Grijpskerk makes its debut at this level and last lost in October, to VVG, which mainly serves as cannon fodder.

Enough of the Spanish Super Cup

Grijpskerk played two classes lower than the home club last season, but for the paper topper the difference was only one point. The bitter cold did not deter the enthusiasts. Many eagerly flocked to the artificial grass at the De Meulewieke sports complex. Glad that the winter break is over and longing for normal football, as it was once meant to be. It was a relief for those who had had enough of the matches for the Spanish super cup in the Middle East, purely intended to satisfy commercial hunger.

Refined Jelle Schoenmaker as ‘de Kromme’

Among the Groningers, Jelle Schoenmaker especially stood out. The literally and figuratively little brother of top scorer Joost delivered one refined ball after another, often with the outside left like Willem van Hanegem in his best days. Rini Jurna: “That is a very good football player. But listen carefully, they almost kick Jelle in half. They can’t do better, but they beat us through sheer force of will. This is their quality.”

Socrates said long ago that there are two kinds of people, those who do not know and those who do not know that they do not know. What the Noordscheschut coach was absolutely right about was that his team created more chances and gave fewer to the opponent.

‘Come on!’

Not much happened until the first goal. Grijpskerk claimed a penalty after a stumble by Joost Schoenmaker and a nice lob from him went just over. Noordscheschut was allowed to take a free kick just over the halfway line. Zandink showed that he knows exactly what his team can do: “Get on with it,” he ordered Ton Kamping, Kevin van Dalen and Jos Kroezen. They didn’t win the aerial duel, but there was no pressure on the headed ball. Bjorn Schonewille opened things up (1-0). Melvin Mol got just such an opportunity. The routine appears to have some wear and tear. When he was substituted later, he walked straight to the shower, without sparing a glance from his trainer.

Enrico Schonewille decides the match

Grijpskerk came out of the dressing room with new impetus, because Jurna’s men also know that the boss’s money is not made of tin. Joost Schoenmaker forced Bernd Zinger to make his only major save by heading. But on the other hand, goalkeeper Dirk Jan Postma van Grijpskerk increasingly saw tireless football players in blue and white rushing towards him. Enrico Schonewille’s 2-0 was the result, after a nice pass from Danny Kieftenbeld, who again played old-fashioned hoeing and ultimately had to pay for it with an injury.

Noordscheschut is on title track. Zandink: “After the winter break, things have to get going again. That takes a lot of energy, but hopefully he keeps rolling. Next week to Gorecht, after today the new number two.”