RKC Waalwijk has finally won again in the Eredivisie after three defeats. The team of coach Henk Fraser won the away match against PEC Zwolle 2-1. Thanks to the three points achieved, the Waalwijkers climbed to thirteenth place. PEC dropped to tenth place.
The home team opened strongly and soon had a chance, but goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen reacted alertly to Younes Namli’s shot. Yet the first goal came at the other end. During an attack from the right, Denilho Cleonise passed the ball to Filipo Stevanovic, who neatly tapped in and gave RKC the lead.
PEC then went looking for the equalizer. After Sam Kersten’s goal was disallowed for offside, it was a real hit after half an hour. After a corner kick, the ball rolled at the feet of Davy van den Berg, who scored hard to make it 1-1. The midfielder almost made it 2-1 shortly afterwards, but his shot went just wide.
In the second half, RKC struck after just five minutes. A Waalwijk attack seemed to be repelled, but the ball ended up with Chris Lokesa, who outwitted keeper Jasper Schendelaar with a placed shot. Despite frantic efforts, PEC failed to prevent defeat. Vaessen returned on two bets in the final minute.
The goalkeeper, who has been wearing a helmet since the serious collision with Ajax player Brian Brobbey, was happy that he could distinguish himself in an old-fashioned way. “It feels great, especially because I could be important,” Vaessen told ESPN. “It’s nice that people can see me as a good goalkeeper again. That’s nice. I feel safer with that helmet, although I will always remain an attacking goalkeeper.”