League Play-Off

Delfzijl Stadion
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Delfzijl HC's Donald Bakhuis got a good chance for a goal in the 6th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Frans de Zaaijer in the 17th minute of play forced Delfzijl HC's goalkeeper Richard Pieters to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Marco Cruijff made an important save on a dangerous shot by Donald Bakhuis in the 21st minute. Richard Pieters showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Maurice Kimman, who was totally free with the ball in the 28th minute. Maurice Kimman received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 29th minute. Richard Pieters tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 34 minutes into the game, Frans de Zaaijer cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-1. Richard Pieters was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Donald Bakhuis's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Marco Cruijff read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 41st minute of play. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Frans de Zaaijer to make the kick off. After having played for 51 minutes, Maurice Kimman managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Nieuwolda FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Maurice Kimman was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Maurice Kimman received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 53rd minute. Richard Pieters tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 56 played minutes Delfzijl HC got a freekick which was hit by Lucien Bergman. Richard Pieters acted impressively in front of the goal and made a superb save when he, in the 57th minute, took the ball on the long shot from Rick Scheffer. After 65 played minutes Delfzijl HC got a freekick which was hit by Wessel Looze. Frans de Zaaijer received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 67th minute. Richard Pieters tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 68 minutes, Tom Gerfen mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Delfzijl HC and the Nieuwolda FC players grew even worse after the yellow card. The supporters of Nieuwolda FC booed when Delfzijl HC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 68 match minutes in a wonderful position. Tom Gerfen didn't get a good kick on the ball. After having played for 70 minutes, Donald Bakhuis managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Delfzijl HC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Donald Bakhuis was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. 73 minutes into the match, Nieuwolda FC's goal looked a bit too open when Matthijs Eringa came free, but Marco Cruijff reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Donald Bakhuis fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 80th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Marco Cruijff having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Matthijs Eringa in the 82nd minute of play forced Nieuwolda FC's goalkeeper Marco Cruijff to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Richard Pieters stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Frans de Zaaijer's shot from short distance in the 83rd minute. When the match had gone on for 83 minutes, Frans de Zaaijer put it in 1-2 from a short distance just to the right of Richard Pieters. The supporters of Delfzijl HC booed when Nieuwolda FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 86 match minutes in a wonderful position. Maurice Kimman didn't get a good kick on the ball. Marco Cruijff took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Matthijs Eringa, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 92nd minute Matthijs Eringa shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Marco Cruijff saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. An unexpectedly hard shot by Matthijs Eringa in the 94th minute of play forced Nieuwolda FC's goalkeeper Marco Cruijff to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The Nieuwolda FC players were relieved to hear the final whistle blow to end the match. The away crowd was happy to see their team win after a very tight game.