Zwarte Leeuw 1-2 KFCO Wilrijk
Louis van Roey Stadion
31 March 2013
Antwerp Provincial One
An Old Favourite
The original plan for tonight was to witness the next step in the procession that is KFC Uerdingen's season. However, with KFC's number one English fan on his way over this weekend with plans for two trips to Grotenburg next week, I decided to change my plans and head over the border to revist one of my favourites. Zwarte Leeuw were relegated out of the national divisions last season, which means that the 8,000 capacity Louis van Roeystadion now plays hosts to provincial football, although the Lions are sat atop the league and looking for a quick return.
The stadium is situated on the edge of Rijkvorsel, a small town north east of Antwerp approximately 10km from the Dutch border, and is an absolute gem. All boxes are ticked: covered end terrace, open end terrace, covered side terrace, open side terrace, huge bar overlooking the pitch (on the half way line), plenty of parking and even old style floodlights.
Zwarte Leeuw went into the game 7 points clear with this game in hand, Wilrijk were 7th, but 18 points worse off. The hosts scored early (10th minute) with a good header, missed a really good chance three minutes later and looked every bit the league leaders. However, the game got a bit scrappy after the quarter hour and Wilrijk slowly got themselves back into the game. The equaliser came on 35 mins when they converted a penalty given for hand ball (Miss NAC confirmed the decision was correct).
So we got to half time level, which was fair both on the balance of play, and the fact the original game was abandoned at half time with the score 0-0.
Zwarte Leeuw spent the first 20 minutes of the second half on the attack, without really threatening the score board and the game was looking like it was heading for a draw when it took a strange turn in the 65th minute. The ref who, unusually for Belgian refs, was incredibly lenient given the number of fouls in the game, decided enough was enough and booked Wilrijk's number 22. The only problem was, he was also shown the only other yellow card in the game after about 15 minutes. And so we waited for the inevetable siege on the visitors goal. But it never came, instead Wilrijk looked the more likely to score. Then, after 85 mins, they finally converted their pressure into the winning goal when Ysewyn Sander scored with a cross lob from about 30 yards out. Only he will know if he meant it, but I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Finding themselves behind, Zwarte Leeuw finally put some urgency into their play, but it was in vain. If anything Wilrijk should have extended their lead following a run and shot by the impressive Frederik Janssens, who with have to settle for the prestigious PDM Man of the Match Award.
The only consolation for the Lions was that second place Antonia inexplicably lost to struggling Wuurstwezel so their lead at the top is intact. I hope they go up, grounds like this should host games at higher levels than the Provincial Leagues.
The stadium is situated on the edge of Rijkvorsel, a small town north east of Antwerp approximately 10km from the Dutch border, and is an absolute gem. All boxes are ticked: covered end terrace, open end terrace, covered side terrace, open side terrace, huge bar overlooking the pitch (on the half way line), plenty of parking and even old style floodlights.
Zwarte Leeuw went into the game 7 points clear with this game in hand, Wilrijk were 7th, but 18 points worse off. The hosts scored early (10th minute) with a good header, missed a really good chance three minutes later and looked every bit the league leaders. However, the game got a bit scrappy after the quarter hour and Wilrijk slowly got themselves back into the game. The equaliser came on 35 mins when they converted a penalty given for hand ball (Miss NAC confirmed the decision was correct).
So we got to half time level, which was fair both on the balance of play, and the fact the original game was abandoned at half time with the score 0-0.
Zwarte Leeuw spent the first 20 minutes of the second half on the attack, without really threatening the score board and the game was looking like it was heading for a draw when it took a strange turn in the 65th minute. The ref who, unusually for Belgian refs, was incredibly lenient given the number of fouls in the game, decided enough was enough and booked Wilrijk's number 22. The only problem was, he was also shown the only other yellow card in the game after about 15 minutes. And so we waited for the inevetable siege on the visitors goal. But it never came, instead Wilrijk looked the more likely to score. Then, after 85 mins, they finally converted their pressure into the winning goal when Ysewyn Sander scored with a cross lob from about 30 yards out. Only he will know if he meant it, but I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Finding themselves behind, Zwarte Leeuw finally put some urgency into their play, but it was in vain. If anything Wilrijk should have extended their lead following a run and shot by the impressive Frederik Janssens, who with have to settle for the prestigious PDM Man of the Match Award.
The only consolation for the Lions was that second place Antonia inexplicably lost to struggling Wuurstwezel so their lead at the top is intact. I hope they go up, grounds like this should host games at higher levels than the Provincial Leagues.