Club NXT shares points with RAAL La Louvière

After the handsome three-pointer against Lokeren-Temse, Club NXT U23 had to face the second newcomer in the series. La Louvière made it a rock-hard game and took the lead in the first half. A shot by Baininwa deflected off the leg of Liam De Smet and the ball disappeared into goal. During the second half, Club NXT was constantly looking for the equalizer. Shortly before time, Lynnt Audoor headed in the deserved equalizer.

Coach Veldman changed his team at one position. Wylin started in the starting lineup at the expense of Lund Jensen. Under loud cheers from their spy head, the home team started eagerly. Nagera saw Beikheir free, but Jano Willems prevented La Louvière's first dangerous attempt while sliding. Afterwards, goalkeeper De Corte could easily catch a too weak shot.

Only after twenty minutes of play Club NXT had its first chance. Maisonneuve kicked the ball completely wide, allowing Furo to run alone towards goal. He laid wide to Granados, who saw his shot turned by the keeper. Barely ten minutes later it was Wylin who cleverly played Lynnt Audoor free with the outside right. Eye to eye with goalkeeper Peano, his shot went wide.

After missing Yameogo, the home team got a corner kick. Via a short combination the ball ended up with Baininwa who tried to put it in front of goal. The ball deflected off Liam De Smet's leg and into the net behind De Corte.

La Louvière played very virile and made some very heavy fouls at times. Club NXT therefore had a hard time getting a grip on the match. Blauw-Zwart did not create any more dangerous chances in the first half. Shortly before the break, there was a good save by goalkeeper De Corte. We rested at 1-0.

At the start of the second half, the referee quickly drew several yellow cards for the home team who played very potent, just like in the first half. Club NXT searched frantically for the equalizer and quietly took control of the game. Sem Audoor popped towards goal, but goalie Peano whipped the ball out of his goal. On the opposite side, De Corte pushed the leather into a corner on a good chance for Maisonneuve.

On the hour, coach Veldman brought in Tytens, Bisiwu and Lund-Jensen. The home team also brought in fresh blood. Club NXT had most of the ball possession but did not really threaten goalkeeper Peano. Instead of 1-1, it became 2-0. Granados slipped when kicking a corner kick. The Wolves took advantage and set up a counterattack at lightning speed. Maës found Nagera but he finished uncontrollably. Liam De Smet also failed to frame the leather after a nice attack by Club NXT.

Club NXT forced another corner kick a few minutes before time. Like last week, Lynnt Audoor cleverly headed in at the first post. Shortly thereafter, a blast from the well-entrenched Faraas was blocked. The score did not change again. A draw was a correct result.

Club NXT was able to take home a point after a tough game. Next Saturday we travel to Patro Eisden-Maasmechelen, the team of coach Stijn Stijnen. With 4 out of 6, our youngsters are in a handsome third place in the standings.

Club NXT U23: Axl De Corte, Amine Et-Yaïbi, Kader Yameogo, Jano Willems, Sem Audoor (62' Renzo Tytens), Lynnt Audoor, Liam De Smet, Siebe Wylin (61' Tobias Lund Jensen), Alejandro Granados (83' Daniel Perez), Lenn De Smet (62' Jesse Bisiwu), Kaye Furo (75' Benjamin Faraas). Bench: Argus Vanden Driessche, Laurens Goemaere, Shandre Campbell, Jessi Da Silva. Coach: Robin Veldman.

RAAL La Louvière: Marcos Peano, Liongola Baininwa, Wagana Faye, Maxence Maisonneuve, Victor Corneillie, Nolan Gillot (72' Djibril Lamego), Owen Maës, Samuel Gueulette, Joel Ito Singa (75' Sami Lahssaini), Mouhamed Belkheir (72' Raphaël Eyongo), Kenny Nagera (87' Mohamed Guindo). Bank: Arno Valkenaers, Luka Hoedaert, Adrien Bongiovanni, Nicolas Fontaine, Fadel Gobitaka. Coach: Frederic Taquin.

Goals: 31' Liam De Smet (OG) 1-0, 86' Lynnt Audoor 1-1.

Yellow cards: 47' Maës, 49' Maisonneuve, 68' Gueulette.

Referee: Ruben Calluy.

Stadium: Stade Communal du Tivoli, La Louvière.