League Play-Off

Nijkleaster
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Marcel de Graaf got the match started through his kick off. The supporters of Nijkleaster booed when Vrakker HC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 7 match minutes in a wonderful position. Rafael de Bruin didn't get a good kick on the ball. Floris Bleiswijk sent away a hard shot on goal in the 9th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. In the 13th minute Ernest Meerdink shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ruben Vledder saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 14 minutes into the match, Nijkleaster's goal looked a bit too open when Marcel de Graaf came free, but Ruben Vledder reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 24 minutes, Hubert Zuurman mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Nijkleaster and the Vrakker HC players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 24th match minute, Nijkleaster was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Hubert Zuurman to maneuver through the defense. Hubert Zuurman was shown his second yellow card after 26 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. Hubert Zuurman hit a great freekick 26 minutes into the match. If Floris Bleiswijk had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 29th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After having played for 32 minutes, Simon Hoogsteen managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Nijkleaster's supporters crossed their fingers, but Simon Hoogsteen was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. After 34 played minutes Nijkleaster got a freekick which was hit by Govert Krijnenburg. Ruben Vledder showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Marcel de Graaf, who was totally free with the ball in the 38th minute. In the 39th minute Ernest Meerdink shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ruben Vledder saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 40 minutes into the game, Vrakker HC's Ernest Meerdink nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Ruben Vledder made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. In the 45th minute, Vrakker HC's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Floris Bleiswijk fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. In the 48th minute Floris Bleiswijk shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Dolf Hofmeester saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Disappointed in the 0-1 score, the home team went to the dressing room to adjust tactics for the second half.

The wind increased when Floris Bleiswijk made the kick off in the second half. Floris Bleiswijk recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 52nd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. After having played for 53 minutes, Remco Schaap managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Nijkleaster's supporters crossed their fingers, but Remco Schaap was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. If Floris Bleiswijk had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 54th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Ernest Meerdink received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 56th minute. Ruben Vledder tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Ruben Vledder made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Marcel de Graaf in the 58th minute of play. A hard shot 59 in the game by Ernest Meerdink from a close distance when the talented Ruben Vledder managed to make a qualified save. Nijkleaster's players were relieved. After 62 played minutes, Nijkleaster's Rein de Zee shot from a long distance, and at first it looked like the ball was going into the goal, but the goalkeeper Dolf Hofmeester came through and got his fingers on the ball before it flew over the goal line. He then quickly gripped the ball tighter before the forwards in Nijkleaster reached it. Ruben Vledder made an important save on a dangerous shot by Ernest Meerdink in the 65th minute. Marcel de Graaf sent away a hard shot on goal in the 67th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Dolf Hofmeester took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Floris Bleiswijk, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Eelco Israel kicked well hit freekick during the 71st minute of the match. Floris Bleiswijk struck a weak shot in the 72nd minute. Dolf Hofmeester didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Nijkleaster. Nijkleaster's Ruben Vledder played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Marcel de Graaf in the 78th minute of play. Ruben Vledder made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Marcel de Graaf in the 84th minute of play. After having played for 85 minutes, Floris Bleiswijk managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Nijkleaster's supporters crossed their fingers, but Floris Bleiswijk was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. An unexpected shot in the 87th minute by Ernest Meerdink got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. If Marcel de Graaf had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 89th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Ernest Meerdink sent away a hard shot on goal in the 91st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Ernest Meerdink fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 95th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Ruben Vledder having to interfere. After a defensive mix-up in Nijkleaster's zone, Marcel de Graaf stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Ruben Vledder came out of the goal and Marcel de Graaf tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Vrakker HC eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.