Kapellen Erft 2-2 KFC Uerdingen
Erftstadion
20 May 2013
Oberliga Niederrhein
The penultimate away game of the season saw KFC visit the tiny home of third place Kapellen Erft, located just to the south of Monchengladbach. In a season of ground switches, away games being played at home and even postponements towards the end of the season till such time that they were promoted (ironically without playing) this day out summed up life as a KFC fan this year. Separate away entrance, rigorous searches and separate away side complete with grill, temporary bar and porta-loo's. And in common with other such away games, once inside, the segregation was non existent, allowing free movement to the 'home' side and bar (and the only place that served coffee!!). And once again, not a hint of trouble.
The afternoon saw a somewhat innovative way to get around the 'no pyro' rule. As you can see from the pictures below, around 35 of the Krefeld Ultras came dressed in white suits. Standing opposite from them, you could see that something was going to happen as the remaining away fans gave them a pretty wide berth, just as the players were about to come out. Sure enough, on seeing the player emerge, they threw blue and red powder in the air, giving the illusion of smoke bombs, without breaking any rules. The ensuing mess on the steps, grass and anyone in the near vicinity showed the wisdom of the white suites! Some better pictures here
The game itself was enjoyable. Kapellen showed why they were 3rd in the league in the first half, taking the game to the Champions and probably should have been in front before the break. But for once recently, the KFC defense held and we turned around goalless. In the second half KFC took the lead with a well worked and well finished goal before being pegged back by a stunning strike. You know when you have seen a special goal when even the away fans applaud. The game then got a bit niggly, and it was no surprise when eventually someone picked up a second yellow card. It happened to be a home player, but in reality it could have been any of a number of players.
Uerdingen looked to have won the game with a vey nice move in the 72nd minute, but the 10 men battled hard and equalised with virtually the last kick, a result they just about deserved.
The result meant that KFC can no longer reach the 100 point mark, but it has been a terrific season, with the main objective of promotion easily achieved.
And so we bow out from this Oberliga season with many great memories. Next season KFC will be playing the likes of Aachen, RW Essen and RW Oberhausen, games that will be light years from some of those experienced this season. We can't wait!
The afternoon saw a somewhat innovative way to get around the 'no pyro' rule. As you can see from the pictures below, around 35 of the Krefeld Ultras came dressed in white suits. Standing opposite from them, you could see that something was going to happen as the remaining away fans gave them a pretty wide berth, just as the players were about to come out. Sure enough, on seeing the player emerge, they threw blue and red powder in the air, giving the illusion of smoke bombs, without breaking any rules. The ensuing mess on the steps, grass and anyone in the near vicinity showed the wisdom of the white suites! Some better pictures here
The game itself was enjoyable. Kapellen showed why they were 3rd in the league in the first half, taking the game to the Champions and probably should have been in front before the break. But for once recently, the KFC defense held and we turned around goalless. In the second half KFC took the lead with a well worked and well finished goal before being pegged back by a stunning strike. You know when you have seen a special goal when even the away fans applaud. The game then got a bit niggly, and it was no surprise when eventually someone picked up a second yellow card. It happened to be a home player, but in reality it could have been any of a number of players.
Uerdingen looked to have won the game with a vey nice move in the 72nd minute, but the 10 men battled hard and equalised with virtually the last kick, a result they just about deserved.
The result meant that KFC can no longer reach the 100 point mark, but it has been a terrific season, with the main objective of promotion easily achieved.
And so we bow out from this Oberliga season with many great memories. Next season KFC will be playing the likes of Aachen, RW Essen and RW Oberhausen, games that will be light years from some of those experienced this season. We can't wait!