KV Mechelen 0-0 AA Gent
Argosstadion Achter der Kazerne
Att: 9,000
12/12/14
What do you do when the game you had tickets for is postponed and rearranged for the next day? Well, you head to a different game in a different country. That's exactly what we did having seen Achilles '29 (based on the Dutch border with Germany) had succumbed to rainfall. Instead Plan B saw us head down to the Belgian town of Mechelen for our football fix.Tickets weren't an issue, despite the visitors being local (high-flying) Gent, due to the hosts languishing near the bottom of the table.
As it turned out 'Behind the barracks' was a suitable alternative, being a typical belgian top flight ground. The majority of the 13,000 capacity is standing. The majority of these on the large terrace that runs the length of one side. The noisier of the home fans one side of the fence, the away fans the other. At one end is a brentford-esque double decker stand, with the seated portion larger than the terrace at the front. The opposite end is a bizarre hospitality stand, running 2/3's of one end. The final side is the main stand, paddock at the front and seats to the rear.
Despite the scoreline, this was a thoroughly enjoyable game. First half Gent were the better side, with their league higher position being clear for all to see. Second half, however KVM upped the pressure, and were unlucky not to make a breakthrough for themselves.
As it turned out 'Behind the barracks' was a suitable alternative, being a typical belgian top flight ground. The majority of the 13,000 capacity is standing. The majority of these on the large terrace that runs the length of one side. The noisier of the home fans one side of the fence, the away fans the other. At one end is a brentford-esque double decker stand, with the seated portion larger than the terrace at the front. The opposite end is a bizarre hospitality stand, running 2/3's of one end. The final side is the main stand, paddock at the front and seats to the rear.
Despite the scoreline, this was a thoroughly enjoyable game. First half Gent were the better side, with their league higher position being clear for all to see. Second half, however KVM upped the pressure, and were unlucky not to make a breakthrough for themselves.