League Play-Off

Zutfen Sportpark
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Jim Bessing got the match started through his kick off. Gertjan Bulder struck a weak shot in the 8th minute. Toni Houwing didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Utrecht. Erik Bouwman sent away a hard shot on goal in the 13th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Filip Plenter showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Jim Bessing, who was totally free with the ball in the 16th minute. Toni Houwing stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Erik Bouwman's shot from short distance in the 18th minute. A collision led to Zutfen VV getting a freekick after 26 minutes play. Kristian Tollenaar hit a great ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 26th minute, Erik Bouwman managed to get in a good position for a shot. Utrecht's supporters rose to their feet, but Erik Bouwman was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Toni Houwing breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Erik Bouwman fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 31st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Toni Houwing having to interfere. After 34 minutes of play, Utrecht's Klaas van Zalen made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Toni Houwing was left in no man's land by his defense there! Gertjan Bulder received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 41st minute. Toni Houwing tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When Utrecht's Erik Bouwman in the 43rd minute got a chance for a shot 43rd didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Zutfen VV's goalie prevented a goal. After the first half Utrecht were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

After a defensive mix-up in Zutfen VV's zone, Gertjan Bulder stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Toni Houwing came out of the goal and Gertjan Bulder tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Jim Bessing fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 57th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Filip Plenter having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Bernard Konterman in the 59th minute of play forced Utrecht's goalkeeper Filip Plenter to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 64 minutes into the game, Zutfen VV's Jim Bessing nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Filip Plenter made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. Rick Blank hit a great freekick 67 minutes into the match. Gertjan Bulder sent away a hard shot on goal in the 73rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Tommie Terpstra hit a great freekick 74 minutes into the match. In the 76th minute Bernard Konterman shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Filip Plenter saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Erik Bouwman had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 81st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Gertjan Bulder fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 89th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Toni Houwing having to interfere. If Erik Bouwman had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 92nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After 94 played minutes Zutfen VV got a freekick which was hit by Kristian Tollenaar. Jurjen Speelman took a chance and fired a shot far from the goal in the 95th minute, but it turned out to be a dangerous situation for Toni Houwing. Zutfen VV's goalkeeper really had to stretch himself to stop the ball from crossing the goal line. Utrecht were disappointed that they only managed a draw, even though they felt themselves to be the better team.