After the sour elimination in the cup, the focus was entirely on the league with one goal in mind, a place in 1B next season. Coach Rik De Mil was still unable to call on sick captain Xander Blomme. From the first team, Nusa, Pérez, Audoor, Sandra, Mbamba and Lammens dropped out.
The game had only just started when Nusa gave a fine assist to Vermant who easily netted the 1-0. Shortly after, Audoor's effort disappeared narrowly wide of the post. A blitz start by Club NXT that predicted an easy match. Yet goalkeeper Lammens had to push a measured cross from the visitors over the goal. When Mondele advanced on his flank, he gave a beautiful curling ball in front of goal, where the ready Pérez tapped in masterfully. Club NXT was smoothly in control of the game but the score did not deepen for now. Audoor's free kick flew high over the goal. Sandra's effort sailed just over the crossbar. Captain Hautekiet dropped out before halftime with an injury. Club NXT played with ten for a while. Zulte tried to take advantage, but a header fortunately went over Lammens' goal. At the stroke of halftime, blue-black was able to extend the lead to 3-0. Nusa lashed out and his ball went in just wide of the post.
In the second half, our youngsters continued their momentum. Within a minute the ball was in goal, but unfortunately the goal was disallowed for offside. Afterwards, Pérez just couldn't deviate the leather sufficiently towards goal. Zulte-Waregem made some substitutions, but the picture did not change. On a corner kick Sylla headed in the 4-0. With half an hour to play we could expect a higher score. Unfortunately, this was already the final score. Pérez again headed inches wide of the goal. The substitute De Smet could not score either. The Waregem goallie turned his attempt. Vanraefelghem and Aelterman were also unable to finish. At the end of regular playing time there were some misunderstandings in the Bruges defense. Unfortunately, goalkeeper Lammens was able to finish with a cleansheet. The very last chance was for Club NXT but again Vanraefelghem could not put the forfeit score on the scoreboard. All in all, an easy win for blue-black. Four games to go. Club NXT retains third place in the rankings. Next Sunday is the derby against Cercle. We are counting on as many blue-black supporters as possible to bring atmosphere to The Nest.
Club NXT: Senne Lammens, Kyriani Sabbe, Ibe Hautekiet (44' Denzel De Roeve), Abakar Sylla, Lukas Mondele, Lynnt Audoor (74' Liam De Smet), Daniel Pérez, Noah Mbamba (64' Arne Engels), Romeo Vermant (74' Noah Aelterman), Antonio Nusa (74' Keano Vanraefelghem), Cisse Sandra.
Coach: Rik De Mil.
Zulte-Waregem: Martijn Beernaert, Rousseau De Poorter, Wout De Buyser, Gilles Vandecandelaere, Arthur Wulleman (58' Mohamed Traore), Lennert Hallaert (87' Arthur Bracke), Lukas Willen, Cheik Thiam (58' Yannick Cappelle), Dylan Demuynck (77' Henny Van Parys), Tarik El Boutaibe (58' Brecht De Vriese), Youssuf Sylla.
Coach: Thomas Schepens.
Goals: 4' Vermant 1-0, 18' Daniel Pérez 2-0, 45' Antonio Nusa 3-0, 64' Abakar Sylla 4-0.