Hashtag United 3 Dulwich Hamlet 3 - Late goals from Sakariya Hassan & Misha Djemaili see Hashtag United come back from 3-1 down to earn thrilling point against Dulwich Hamlet in their Isthmian Premier contest

Isthmian League Premier, Saturday March 8th

I was over at Parkside in Aveley near Lakeside for an Isthmian League Premier clash between Hashtag United & Dulwich Hamlet for my latest weekend fare in the football world, one of my best mates young son was one of the mascots for the home side and walked out with Tags defender Matthew Wooldridge prior to kick off, which was nice to see, and he enjoyed his day very much too, so was nice to share this with him and his father, and the rest of the inclusion squad, another brilliant thing this club are doing for children who may otherwise feel excluded from such things.

The Tags were having a good season and sat just three points outside the play off places prior to kick off, so knew a win here could take them level with the top five places, Hamlet themselves were at the opposite end of the table and began the day five points above the drop zone so knew if they could shock their opponents today could put more daylight between themselves and the bottom four places with another game ticked off.

The visitors drew first blood in this one when they saw Amaru Kaunda curl home a lovely finish beyond hosts keeper Jack Giddens after just five minutes, disappointing all the inclusion squad sitting around me who were certainly trying to support The Tags, but his was an early set back for the hosts, they really should have found the net on more than one occasion after that during the first period but could not find the net, with visiting keeper Dylan Berry in fine form.

And then with twelve minutes of the first half remaining Hamlet hit the hosts with a sucker punch by taking another chance that came their way, and it was handed to them on a plate really, keeper and defender getting in a right muddle and allowing David Bremang in to round Giddens and fire home, Tags had had all the chances really in this contest but found themselves two goals down at the break, Hamlet had defended well and been clinical when needed up front.

The next goal was crucial, and eleven minutes after the break Hashtag got themselves right back in the contest when Wooldridge, fresh from leading out my best mates son earlier on, squared for Luke May-Parrott who managed to convert from close range, and you felt momentum was now all with the hosts, but what do I know!!!

That is because just seven minutes later Hamlet went down the other end and saw Michael Chambers curl home a wonderful effort from range, starting it outside the post and bending it inside the far one, giving keeper Giddens no chance at all of saving it, it was a blow to The Tags who had only just reduced the arrears but Hamlet now had a two goal cushion once again and a two goal lead to defend, giving the hosts a mountain to climb once again.

Tags though never threw in the towel, and with 82 minutes on the clock pulled one back to set up a grandstand finish, the ball being squared across to Sakariya Hassan who sent a rocket of an effort back across goal into the top corner, and with all the momentum back with the hosts, they levelled the match just four minutes later when Misha Djemaili fired home from inside the box.

Both sides now were going for a winner, it was certainly a superb finish to this game, neither side could force a winner though and grab all three points, meaning it ended 3-3 and a point a piece, a decent game with a breathless ending, not a bad one to watch this one, and enjoyed no doubt by the inclusion squad who certainly enjoyed the entertainment handed out today.

Full time Hashtag United 3 Dulwich Hamlet 3

 

There was a full round of fixtures in the division today, let's see those results and how it affects the table:-

Leaders Billericay lost at home to play off chasing Chichester City, however neither Dartford or Horsham could capitalise as they both lost as well, Dartford were beaten at Lewes whilst Horsham also lost at home to Wingate & Finchley, another mid table side. This allowed Cray Valley & Dover to close the gap to the top three after they both won, Cray winning at Potters Bar whilst Dover saw off bottom side Bowers at The Crabble Ground.

Hashtag's comeback point kept them in sixth but they lost ground to the top five places as a result, everyone else below them from seventh to thirteenth won, meaning quite a few sides are now queuing up behind The Tags in pursuit of a play off spot, Hashtag, Carshalton & Chichester are all on fifty five points and five points off the top five now.

Down at the bottom only Hastings United won, beating fellow relegation threatened Hendon at Pilot Field, which was a big three points to reduce the gap to their opponents and also safety as well, which is now seven points, still a tough assignment but it gives them some hope at least, Bowers are all but down and it doesn't look great for Bognor either if truth be told.

Hendon remain four points from safety but would have been boosted by the fact sides above them didn't win either, Canvey lost at Cray Wanderers and Hamlet of course saw their lead at Hashtag slip away to only pick up a point, but they did increase their gap to the bottom four anyway, six points now, so a nice buffer but still plenty of games left.

That concludes today's blog, thanks for reading as always!!! 

Essex Senior League Round Up (Tuesday March 4th) - Barking, West Essex & White Ensign all pick up wins, Great Wakering Rovers & Little Oakley progress into final of Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy

(Action from Benfleet Vs Barking courtesy of Terry Gilbert (@TerryGi37271613) & Barking FC (@barkingfc), many thanks for the photo)

Essex Senior League, Tuesday March 4th

There were some midweek games in the Essex Senior League on Tuesday night that affected both ends of the table, the bottom two (FC Clacton & Stansted) were both at home and in action and needed points to try and get themselves closer to safety, defeats for either would be another hammer blow to their chances of survival, whereas Barking travelled to Benfleet looking to close the gap to Stanway Rovers at the top, and further cement their play off spot too.

Let's see how those three games on Tuesday went, with Benfleet, West Essex & White Ensign also looking for more points too:-

Benfleet 0 Barking 5

This was Benfleet's first home game since December 28th after multiple postponements due to a problem area on their Woodside pitch, and since that game were they defeated promotion chasing Great Wakering Rovers they have played just the four games, winning at Frenford and Sawbridgeworth, drawing at Bcukhurst Hill & losing just the once, at Ilford last time out, leaving them down in 16th but fourteen points clear of the drop zone.

Visitors Barking were sat in fourth spot before kick off and six points ahead of sixth placed Saffron Walden Town so knew a win here would increase that gap to the side just outside the play off zone, it would also take them just five points behind leaders Stanway as well and up to third, and in the same period that Benfleet had only played four games, The Blues had racked up twelve games in all comps, three times as many, ten of those were in the league, six of them resulting in wins.

It didn't take long for the first goal to arrive either as Sam Shaban put the visitors ahead after just three minutes, and after twenty five minutes it was two for the visitors after Juwon Akintunde found the net for the Blues before the game looked as good as over just before the half hour mark when Shaban added his second of the game as the Blues were now in complete control with a three goal lead.

Then came a sobering moment though ten minutes before half time when Benfleet's Cameron Harris was sent off for a poor challenge on visitors player Jerold Cobblah which resulted in the latter receiving a very bad injury and the game being held up for half an hour, Cobblah was clearly in distress and after he had been moved to the warmer climbs of the dressing room to await an ambulance the game resumed & Farhad Nyanja had time to make it four for the visitors before the eventual half time whistle came.

A short half time followed, and eight minutes after the break Shaban was on hand to compete his hat trick and make it five for a rampant Blues side who cruised to victory and the points but no doubt with all their minds on their stricken teammate who will be on the sidelines for sometime, hoping and praying he makes a full and as swift a recovery as possible. 

FC Clacton 0 West Essex 3

Games are now running out for hosts FC Clacton if they are to pull off a miracle escape, they began the evening bottom of the league and seven points from safety, and with a much inferior goal difference too, it was pretty much eight points, a win could take them off the bottom if Stansted lost to White Ensign, they had picked up two wins in 2025 and really needed to pick up another one against a West Essex side who started the night in 14th spot.

They were miles above the bottom two as well, seventeen points, and were actually closer to the top ten although that was eight points away, they had played seven games as well in 2025, winning three of those contests with one recently at home to Athletic Newham, and if they could pick up a fourth win in eight games this year they could climb up a couple of places depending on how many goals they could win by, but winning was all they needed to do in their eyes and try and get as close to the top ten as they possibly could.

The opening goal didn't arrive till seven minutes before half time, and it went to the visitors as Jaedon Phillps converted from the spot, and ten minutes after the break Zak Oliver doubled the visitors lead to leave the struggling hosts with a mountain to climb, and it was a mountain they could not climb and West managed to add a third goal in stoppage through Nathan Braithwaite to seal a good three points on the North Essex coast and heap more woe on the home side.

Stansted 0 White Ensign 1

The Airportmen are in serious danger of falling out of the ESL and down to Step Six, and just like FC Clacton desperately need points as games are running out, they started a point above the bottom side but six from safety, and having only picked up two point in twelve games since their last win in October, it seems unlikely they would get anything here against an Ensign side who are again punching above their weight.

Both those points did come in their last three outings, but Ensign would prove a much tougher task then the games in which they did pick up those points, the Wakering based side are sitting in eighth spot, to far from the play offs really now to mount a challenge, but they wanted to keep going and see where they could get, and in ten league games since Boxing Day they had only lost once, and won six of those too, so they were in pretty good form.

Ensign had smashed seven past their opponents in the corresponding game at Burroughs Park but found it harder to break the deadlock in this one, but with just over fifteen minutes to go Taylor Jacobi found the net finally for the visitors, sweeping home from close range, and earn the visitors a hard earned three points on the road, and adding to Stansted's woes in the process. 

Let's see what the midweek games have done to the table:-

Barking move up to third spot now after their comfortable win at Benfleet, Ensign are up to seventh after their win at Stansted, a result that leaves the latter second bottom still and six points from safety with only twelve games to go, FC Clacton remain rooted to the foot of the table and seven from safety after their loss at home to West Essex. It does appear the bottom two will have their work cut out not to be relegated at the end of the season.

There were also two Peter Butcher Memorial Cup Semi Finals taking place on Tuesday night as well, one at Burroughs Park and the other at Catons Lane, let's see who made it through to the final of this competition:-

Great Wakering Rovers 1 Woodford Town 0

This was fifth against second in the ESL as two sides vying for promotion to step four put league worries aside for the chance to win a trophy this season, yes Woodford were eight points above the hosts in the table but this would be a very decent battle you would have thought as both wanted to reach a final for sure.

Only one goal was needed to settle this contest, and it came early on in the 13th minute when Harry Talbot gave Rovers the lead, and it proved enough to send Rovers into the final at Billericay Town. 

Saffron Walden Town 1 Little Oakley 2

This was sixth against ninth in the ESL, the hosts still had a realistic chance of promotion with a play off spot and were only five points away, but that was not on the agenda tonight as they looked to give themselves a chance of a trophy with victory over Oakley who were twelve points below the hosts in the league, but could Oakley net a win and give themselves of a trophy instead, promotion was definitely out of the question you felt. 

Walden grabbed an early lead in this one, the home side doing well to keep the ball alive in the box and Solomon Ofori ended up striking home, however early in the second half Oakley levelled thanks to a lovely finish from Jordi Papple and then Dan Rowe converted a spot kick for Oakley to turn this one around early on in the second half and give Walden something to think about.

Things were made harder though for Walden when Ricky Modeste was given his marching orders, and they could not find a leveller which meant Oakley go through to the final at Billericay Town.

That means Little Oakley Vs Great Wakering Rovers at Billericay Town FC on Wednesday 26th March for a chance of one of these sides to pick up the first trophy of the season in the ESL, it should be a decent game on the 3G at New Lodge.

 

AFC Whyteleafe 1 Bourne Town 0 - Gaspar Mico's eighth minute strike proves enough for AFC Whyteleafe to see off Bourne Town & join Whitstable Town, Hartpury University & Andover New Street in Semi Finals of the FA Vase

Isuzu FA Vase Quarter Finals, Saturday March 1st

It was FA Vase weekend once again, and I decided to take in one of these huge ties and make the trip to Surrey and Church Road, Whyteleafe, for the very first time to take in AFC Whyteleafe's home tie against Bourne Town.

Now the hosts only formed four years ago after the demise of Whyteleafe FC in 2021, AFC were formed and are already on the cusp of promotion to Step Four of the non league pyramid, they are top of the Combined Counties Premier South on goal difference and right in the mix for promotion, and have netted eighty seven goals in the league so far this season.

Bourne Town in contrast are celebrating 142 years as a club, formed back in 1883, so in terms of age these two clubs could not be more different, but that would mean nothing on the pitch today, the visitors are from Lincolnshire and ply their trade in the United Counties Premier North and they are also in the promotion shake up for Step Four, although they are seven points off the leaders so need to step on the gas there if they want automatic promotion.

That was on the bank burner today though as the chance of reaching Wembley and Non League Finals Day could get one step closer and be in touching distance for either of these sides, the Semi Final awaited for the winner, and both knew they had what it took to reach this stage and set up a two legged affair for a chance to play on the hallowed turf under the arch on May 11th.

A bumper crowd of 1,540 turned out for this one although there was still plenty of space inside the ground so it definitely was not overawed too much, and there was four coach loads of visiting fans there to cheer on their side too, so a great effort from all involved, it was the hosts though who certainly settled the quicker and they were the ones who grabbed an early lead.

They attacked down the left and the ball ended up at the feet of Gaspar Mico who duly cut inside onto his right foot, got himself into a decent position to shoot, and fired an effort from the edge of the box into the net past visiting keeper Dan Swan, it was a great strike but it seemed a bit to easy for Mico to get the space and strike off, and in only the eighth minute it seemed the hosts would go on and win this easily.

And if only for a combination of Swan and wasteful finishing, the home side would have increased their lead and potentially ended this tie in the opening forty five minutes, but they didn't and Bourne managed to stay in the game, and once they finally settled, which took quite a while, they did create a decent chance but saw a speculative effort go over the bar, but at half time the hosts were much the better side but had only one goal to show for it, so it was still all to play for in the second period.

Could AFC Whyteleafe go on and take control of this tie then, a second goal you felt would end any chances of Bourne getting back into the game, or would the visitors battle and fight and find a way like they had done in previous rounds to make this stage of the competition, well the hosts tempo and levels seem to drop in the second half and they were no were near as dominant in the second period, and at 1-0 it would only take a moment from the visitors and suddenly it would be anyone's.

To be fair though for the majority of the second period the hosts held onto the ball and it was quite a flat and subdued atmosphere and game considering what was at stake, and it only really got going again towards the end of the game, and Bourne so nearly found that leveller after a period of pressure when a glancing header went inches wide of the post, that was the chance we felt and thereafter the hosts managed to see out the game and take their place in the Final Four.

So, in summary the better team won the contest, but they made hard work of it as they never killed off their opponents who could have easily forced penalties towards the end, and a different result may have been forthcoming, but well done to AFC Whyteleafe in reaching the Semi Finals, and commiserations to Bourne Town but well done for reaching the Last Eight, they need to go on and try and achieve promotion now, so good luck with that. 

Full time AFC Whyteleafe 1 Bourne Town 0

So, well done to AFC Whyteleafe on reaching the Semi Finals, shall we see what happened in the other three Quarter Finals and see who joined them in the Final Four:-

Whitstable Town 3 Whitchurch Alport 2

SCEFL Premier Whitstable Town came from 2-0 down after seventeen minutes to net a late late winner to take their place in the semi finals, it looked as though the Shropshire visitors were almost certain to be the ones going through when they made a superb start to this game, Callum Knowles finishing well at the back post after eight minutes before it was two after seventeen minutes when Adam Hailes squared for Harry Bower who found the net.

Whitstable though had other ideas and pulled one back a few minutes later when Ronald Sithole capped a fine run with a good finish, and they found a leveller after the break when Nathan Jerche rounded visiting keeper Jack Sheward before slotting home, and in the first minute of stoppage time the hosts won a penalty which Harvey Smith converted eventually on a rebound after his initial spot kick was saved, to send the majority of the record 2,656 crowd inside The Belmont wild, and the hosts had completed a remarkable turnaround!!!

Hartpury University 2 Erith & Belvedere 1

Hellenic Premier side Hartpury came from behind to reach the Semi Finals of the competition, Erith, one of two SCEFL Premier sides left in the competition, grabbed the lead after eleven minutes when Tommy Whitnell scored, but seven minutes before half time Louis Manning fired into the roof of the net to see the sides go in level at the break.

And just beyond the hour mark Hartpury netted what proved to be the winner when Osborn, who had literally just come on as a substitute, found himself through on goal and he duly rounded the keeper and passed the ball into the empty net and see his side into the Last Four of the competition.

Andover New Street 1 Heanor Town 0

Just one goal was needed to settle this Quarter Final tie, and it came from hosts player Starman Williams just before half time to send the Wessex Premier side into the final four, Heanor, who saw Nice sent off just before the hour mark, did not show up according to their X feed, they were backed by 300 fans though in a crowd of over 1,000 which was a very good effort, but it was the hosts who took their place in the last four.

So, the semi final line up is as follows:-

AFC Whyteleafe (Combined Counties Premier South)

Andover New Street (Wessex Premier)

Hartpury University (Hellenic Premier)

Whitstable Town (SCEFL Premier)

The draw for the semi finals will be made tomorrow (Monday 3rd March) and the two legged semi finals will be played on Saturday March 29th & Saturday April 5th, with the winners playing in the Final at Wembley on Non League Finals Day on Sunday May 11th, good luck to the four sides who have made it this far, well done to all!!!

  

Southend Manor 5 Barkingside 1 - Lenny Asamoah nets hattrick as Southend Manor thrash Barkingside at Southchurch Park to make it back to back wins & go three clear of the Thurlow Nunn South bottom three

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Tuesday February 25th

It was back to normality for me after my weekend adventure, and it was familiar surroundings and a very local one for me in the shape of Southchurch Park and a Thurlow Nunn South contest between Southend Manor & Barkingside, and it was a biggie down at the bottom of the division too.

Southend Manor were only above Barkingside, who occupied the final relegation place in third bottom, on goal difference, both were on twenty nine points although Manor had played a game less, but a win for either would see them put three points between themselves and those bottom three positions, and with only a handful of games to go, this was important.

Manor came into this contest having ended a run of eleven games without a win stretching back to October 12th by thrashing Dunmow Town 6-2 at Southchurch Park, a result that came right out of the blue, whereas Side had been going through a right mixed bag lately, winning three out of four at home but losing five straight away from home, so maybe Manor after that success at the weekend were perhaps slight favourites in this one, but only just perhaps.

Well, it was soon apparent this would be a long night for the visitors as the hosts flew out of the blocks, obviously buoyed by Saturday's 6-2 success, won a penalty after just five minutes after a foul inside the box and Lenny Asamoah rifled home the spot kick to give Manor an early lead, and for the remainder of the half Manor continued to churn out the chances but could not add to that lead and saw Side keeper Harrison Crowther make saves to keep his side in it.

However, twelve minutes before half time Crowther was to have a nightmare when a corner from Ashley Drury saw the keeper make a right meal of it and end up punching the ball into his own net to double Manor's lead and finally give them some breathing space, a shame for Crowther though who was having a good game up till that point, Manor though more than deserved that lead though, and to be honest Side were lucky to only be 2-0 down at the break.

Could Side turn it around in the second half? Well, Manor almost made it three when Mihail Elenkov swept an effort off the crossbar, and Crowther then had to make another save from Asamoah to keep out the hosts, despite this though Side seemed to be getting back into the contest and just before the hour mark were right back in it when Gerard Thompson-Shaw glanced home a header from a corner, game on!!!

Well, it was game on for barely a minute sadly for the visitors as Manor quickly went back to being two goals ahead as Asamoah swept home his second of the game, and this seemed to knock the stuffing out of Side and for the remainder of the contest Manor were the ones looking to add to their tally once again.

And Manor ended the contest once and for all when they did add a fourth goal with thirteen minutes remaining as Asamoah won a second penalty for his side and duly picked himself up to convert another spot kick and complete his hat trick in the process, and then with four minutes remaining Asamoah capped a wonderful display by turning provider, chesting a ball back to Ronnie Blake for the latter to drill home a lovely effort to make it five for the hosts.

It had been a rout if truth be told, and it could have been more, Manor now have won back to back games after none in eleven, netting eleven in those two games as well, some turnaround, and it sees them go up a place and three points above the drop zone, for Barkingside this was a bad evening, another defeat away from home and they remain in the bottom three with their goal difference taking a battering.

Full time Southend Manor 5 Barkingside 1

 

My European Football Adventure which saw me visit Mechelen, Genk & Liege in Belgium & Wolfsburg & Hannover in Germany across the last weekend of February, & what an experience it was!!!

(Scenes from the home end in Hannover prior to their game with Paderborn, one of the most incredible atmospheres I have ever witnessed live and in the flesh!!!)

Well, here goes a bumper blog for you all, as I embarked on a European Adventure across two countries and four divisions, in Belgium the Pro League, the top division, and the Challenger Pro League, their equivalent of the Championship, and in Germany the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga, their top and second tier.

I took in five games across three days accompanied by three other like minded football folk (thanks to Martin Berry for organising it all, sorting the accommodation and match tickets and doing all the driving, amazing!!!) starting in Mechelen in Belgium on Friday night before taking in Wolfsburg & Hannover in Germany on the Saturday, before heading back to Belgium on Sunday to Genk & then Liege and then heading home on the Monday.

Two of those games were in the Belgian Pro League, the top tier in the country, and I took in one on the Friday night and then one on Sunday afternoon, let's do those first as they are both from the same league, so would be easier to see how these games affected the table afterwards in the same part of the blog, starting in Mechelen on Friday night:-

Belgian Pro League

Friday February 21st

KV Mechelen Vs K St.Truiden VV (AFAS-Stadion Achter de Kazerne)

This was a game that had plenty riding on it down towards the bottom part of the league, Mechelen were in the middle section of the division but were only a point above the relegation play off section, a section that the visitors occupied themselves and were six points away from getting into the middle section of the table. The hosts had been on a run of multiple losses until they ended that with a draw at home against sixth placed Gent and then last time out won away against third placed Union Saint-Gilloise, two very good results, so they would have been confident of getting a result against third bottom Truiden who had not won in five but had held second placed Club Brugge to a 2-2 draw last time out, so they were no mugs either & no doubt that result would have boosted them slightly.

So, who would come out on top? Well, before all of that we visited the centre of Mechelen for some food and good old Belgian beer of course, which was lovely, and after visiting a brewery for another beer before heading to the stadium (yes I was still standing up by this point!!!) and take our seats for this contest, the AFAS-Stadion is quite a neat stadium which holds around 20,000 I think, and there was certainly a good atmosphere inside it too, there were just under 14,000 present for this game.

The hosts were the ones to grab the lead in the 26th minute when a cross from the right saw striker Raman & defender Janssens go for the ball, and it saw the defender get the final touch to send the ball past his own keeper Kokubo and into the far corner, advantage Mechelen and the home fans were in fine voice now.

They could not build on this though and a very scrappy second half followed, chances were few and far between and the game remained in the balance, could the hosts hold on or could the visitors find a leveller and grab an important point from the contest, well in the first minute of stoppage time the visitors found a leveller to stun the hosts, a ball in seeing Ferrari sweep a lovely finish high into the net beyond De Wolf, and in fact St Truiden nearly won it deeper into added on time after the keeper had made an awful error, but the visitors could only fire wide of the gaping goal and the hosts survived.

Boos at the end from some of the home crowd suggested this was two points dropped, but if truth be told neither side really deserved to win this one, you can see why they are both down towards the bottom of the division, both looked devoid of ideas and confidence, but both did add one more point to the tally at least, not the best of games but a nice ground and a decent atmosphere nonetheless, so in the end all good, oh and a fine place Mechelen is too, defo worth a visit.

Full time KV Mechelen 1 K St Truiden VV 1

Sunday February 23rd

KRC Genk Vs KAA Gent (Cegeka Arena)

This was a match between two sides who occupied the top six of the division, hosts Genk were the league leaders and held an eight point lead at the top before the weekend began, they had won every game this year so far, that's six in a row, and were looking to make that seven straight wins in the division against a Gent side who had not lost since Boxing Day, that's six games without defeat which saw them in sixth with a five point buffer to seventh spot, which is outside the top six championship play off zone. Four of those were draws but they would be a tough task for the league leaders for sure, so it was an intriguing match up to say the least.

It's fair to say though that the lunch we had at a very nice restaurant in Genk prior to the game, and the lovely strong Belgian beer we consumed with it was far more enjoyable than the actual contest, which was rather poor to say the lest between two sides in the top six, and one that led the division by eight points and had the chance to extend that lead to eleven had they won their seventh straight contest as nearest challengers, Club Brugge, lost at home prior to this game, but they could not capitalise on this although did extend their lead at the top with a point. 

Genk had a couple of decent chances in the first half, one one those seeing a ball wacked across goal and beyond anyone coming in, and in the second half Gent had a great chance but saw a ball across goal somehow not converted before they struck wide from about twelve yards out, Genk tried in vain to find a late winner but despite several shots at goal could not hit the target, and the game finished goalless., meaning Genk had failed to win for the first time in 2025, typical!!!

There was a good atmosphere inside another lovely area, so that was good, but sadly the game did not really live up to it's billing, can't win all can you!!!

Full time KRC Genk 0 KAA Gent 0

So, how does this affect the sides I saw in Belgium in the division, let's have a look at the table after the weekend games:-

Genk extend their lead at the top despite failing to win against a Gent side who remain in sixth spot but saw the gap to seventh reduce to three points with three games to go before the league splits, whereas KV Mechelen did increase their gap to the relegation section of the division to two points despite St Truiden's late leveller, they remain deep in the bottom section and are six points away from getting out of that and into the mid section with only three games left, that late miss on Friday night to win it might come back to harm them for sure.

Before I go on to talk about the German games, I did do one Belgian second tier match as sides battle to get into the top division, it was a mid table clash which I attended Sunday evening, it was my final game of the tour, and out of the five contests the best one, so let's cover that one off to complete the Belgian section of my blog:-

Belgian Challenger Pro League

Sunday February 23rd

RFC de Liege Vs K Lierse SK (Stade de Rocourt)

This pitted eighth against seventh in the second tier of Belgium, the hosts were eight points behind their opponents though and nine off the top six and the play off places as the weekend began, so a win was definitely more important for the hosts to get rather than the visitors who themselves could end the weekend inside the top six with victory in this one, Liege came into this one though off the back of two successive losses whereas the visitors Lierse hadn't lost for a month, that's five games, so the form book suggested the visitors would grab the win, would it go to form though?

After a mad dash from Genk to Liege for this one, we just about made kick off thankfully, and early on it seemed as if the game was going as the form book suggested, as after just four minutes Perdichizzi found Kireev who found the net from outside the box, I say this but I actually missed the goal as I was looking elsewhere, so thankfully Martin told me what had happened, school boy error there, but the visitors had the early advantage.

Now in the first ten minutes there was a space behind the goal with a message 'Our roots are here, time to talk' which you can see in some of my photos from this game, now it appears that the owners want to move away from Rocourt but the fans obviously do not want this so this was a protest where the home fans remained fairly silent and some even didn't watch the first ten minutes, as after that time had passed they filed into the stand behind that goal and filled in that gap and resorted to creating a good atmosphere, it obviously means a great deal to the supporters and this is there home and they will not be moved.

Lierse though, backed by their small band of fans in one corner of the stadium were certainly enjoying the contest in the early exchanges, but, Liege slowly got a foothold in proceedings and managed to level with a decent strike of their own, and one that I did see this time!!! Mouchamps laying a ball to Merlen who fired a lovely effort into the bottom corner from outside the box, and the sides would go in all square at the break.

After the break it was pretty much all Liege, some turnaround after the start Lierse had made in the first half, and just three minutes into the second half Liege got themselves in front when Lambot played a ball across goal and saw Lefebvre apply the finishing touch in front of the home fans behind that goal, and for a time they looked the more likely to go on and increase their lead.

Lierse though had two efforts that so nearly brought them level, one crashing against the bar and the other going inches wide, and towards the end of the game Liege were hanging on a bit, and their keeper had to make a couple of decent stops to prevent the visitors from grabbing a point, Liege though did hold on and claim a big win and end the visitors unbeaten run in the process.

A great game though with both sides looking to attack, funny how the lower league match ended up being the best one, pure football with no VAR as well, something I certainly enjoy!!!

Full time RFC de Liege 2 K Lierse SK 1

Shall we quickly see how both sides now fare in the division after that result:-

Defeat for Lierse means they fail to break into the top six, however I did discover that Club NXT, basically Club Brugge II, cannot be promoted as they cannot play in same division as their first team, so wouldn't take part in the play offs, so Lierse are technically in anyway but Liege closed the gap to five points and have increased their chances of making the post season, it was a very big win for them on Sunday night for sure. 

Right, that's the Belgian part of my trip covered, let's see what happened in the two German games I attended on the Saturday, starting with my afternoon trip to Wolfsburg:-

Saturday February 22nd

German Bundesliga

VfL Wolfsburg Vs VfL Bochum (Volkswagen Arena)

Hosts Wolfsburg were trying to get into the European places in Germany's top division, the top six, and they began the weekend in ninth spot and just two points off sixth place and four points off fourth and the champions league spots, so victory against a relegation threatened Bochum side was paramount, the hosts had been on a run of four games without victory until they won last time out at Stuttgart, another side chasing European football too, their opponents Bochum currently occupy the relegation places in second bottom and are only behind third bottom and that relegation play off spot on goal difference. There is a seven point gap to safety, but they did net a huge win last time out at home to Borussia Dortmund, there first win in four games, to enhance their chances of survival and give them a big boost ahead of this one.

A wonderful atmosphere greeted both sides at kick off, the visiting fans from Bochum were making plenty of noise in one corner of the ground, and at the other end the home fans were creating a wonderful atmosphere as well as plenty of murals which you can see from my pics below, and this went on for around the opening ten minutes of the game, I had kind of forgotten there was a game of football going on, I was to busy watching them create these wonderful pieces of art, but there was a game of football going of course.

The hosts started the better and Bochum were holding on for the early exchanges of the contest, but once they settled they started to grow into the game, and early in the second half grabbed the lead when a corner from Bero found Masovic who rose highest to head home unchallenged and give the relegation threatened visitors the lead and a chance to hold onto what would have been back to back wins.

How would Wolfsburg react, well they thought they had levelled when Amoura belted a wonderful effort into the top corner, but VAR intervened and asked the referee to go over and look at the screen for a foul in the build up, he agreed and the goal was chalked off, much to the frustrations of the hosts, but they were not to be denied a point though as they managed to level in the 81st minute, and it was a very scrappy goal too, but they all count.

It came when a scramble inside the visitors box saw Svanberg head a ball at goal, and although it was initially blocked, the ball was forced inches over the line and the goal was awarded, and it meant both sides managed to pick up a point, which may well be useful come the end of the season.

Another good experience though, and my first experience of German Football and the atmosphere it creates, it was certainly very impressive, as was the arena, very smart indeed.

Full time VfL Wolfsburg 1 VfL Bochum 1    

German 2.Bundesliga

Hannover 96 Vs SC Paderborn 07 (Heinz von Heiden-Arena)

Saturday evening saw me complete the German part of my trip in Hannover as the hosts entertained Paderborn, Hannover are looking to return to the top division and began the weekend in eighth and five points off automatic promotion back to the top league, Paderborn, who themselves were recently in the top division, are in sixth spot and only two points off the top two when the weekend began, so this was certainly a big game between to promotion hopefuls. Hannover were unbeaten in six although five of them had been draws, Paderborn themselves had won two games in a row coming into this one without conceding, so this would be a hard one to call.

If the atmosphere at my first German football experience was decent, the one experienced here in Hannover was out of this world, one of the best I've ever witnessed, especially as kick off approached, as you can see from the photos below, there were fireworks, flares, the lot, it was insane and amazing to witness first hand, it's a wonderful stadium too and was one used for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, so definitely one to tick off if you get the chance.

Anyway, to the action on the pitch and Hannover almost brought the home fans to fever pitch levels, if they weren't already at that level anyway when after just four minutes they found the net to grab an early advantage, Halstenberg flicking on a cross to Rochelt who then in turn sent the ball back across the box to Halstenberg who slotted beyond the keeper and give the hosts a great start to the contest.

They so nearly added another when striking the bar with a free kick, but once Paderborn had settled they begin to threaten the hosts goal, but could not find that killer touch, the second period saw most of the threat come from the visitors, they struck the bar and post as they looked to get on level terms and give their superb support in the corner near me something to cheer, and with 89 minutes on the clock they found a deserved leveller when Grimaldi pounced to header home a deflected cross from Ansah.

Seven minutes of stoppage time followed, Dehm was shown a second yellow and dismissed towards the end of it, and Paderborn nearly won it from a very late corner, but they had to settle for a point in the end, a point Hannover would have been grateful for when the whistle blew, their good early start didn't come to much in the end, and another 1-1 draw for me on this trip!!!

What an experience though, amazing levels of support and a totally bonkers atmosphere, something I am so glad to have experienced finally, amazing stadium, amazing support, shame the football wasn't quite as good though!!!

Full time Hannover 96 1 SC Paderborn 07 1

 

Let's see how that affects both the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga for the teams I saw on Saturday:-

Bundesliga

Even though Wolfsburg failed to win, they did climb a place to eighth although the gap to the top four is now five, but they are still right in the mix for a European place, the point for Bochum keeps them level with third bottom and took them a point closer to safety too, so they still have a good chance of getting out of danger, but it's going to take a lot of work to do of course.

2.Bundesliga

Paderborn's late point at Hannover saw them three points off automatic and just one off the play off place for promotion, whereas for Hannover they are three points further back and could of done with hanging on to win Saturday night's game, it would certainly have made a difference but both sides are still in with a chance of course along with many others in a tight division, should be a fun last few months of the season.

It just leaves me to say what a wonderful weekend I had, Mechelen was a wonderful city and a good place to start, the beers were amazing even if the football across the weekend wasn't so much, but to visit five different Arena's and experience the atmosphere as well was amazing, I will never forget the atmosphere before the start of the Hannover game, that was insane and a wonderful thing to be at.

Anyway I hope you enjoyed reading and sharing my experiences through the blog, thanks so much for taking the time to read it, it makes it all worth while doing it!!!