Club NXT played a creditable game at Lierse Kempenzonen and was regularly the better team on the field. However, three mistakes were mercilessly punished by the home team. Chemsdine Talbi however scored the equalizer with a fine header. The three points remained in Lierse.
Coach Nicky Hayen could only call on goalkeeper Nick Shinton from the A-team. Captain Ibe Hautekiet is out for a few weeks, and the other yougsters of our first team were present at Jan Breydel against KV Kortrijk. The match had only just begun when Club NXT was already facing a 1-0 deficit. Lukas Modele totally misjudged the ball, allowing the onrushing Rocha to rush towards the Bruges goal all by himself. He left goalkeeper Shinton no chance. The home crowd crowed with delight and expected a walk over from their team. Brent Laes quickly tried to double the score but this time the Bruges goallie was able to foil the attempt. Silently, however, Blue Black was able to restore the balance and showed very nice combinations to the Lierse crowd. Kyriani Sabbe kicked a measured cross from the flank, but Romeo Vermant just couldn't reach it. Captain Arne Engels served the free Talbi, but he too just couldn't capitalize on the chance. On the half hour Sabbe stormed forward again, kicked the ball brilliantly in front of goal from the back line, where Talbi outsmarted goalkeeper Delanghe with a fine header. The signs deservedly hung in balance. Again Sabbe brought the ball to the penalty spot via a very far throw-in, but Mertens popped wide. Just before halftime, Club NXT gave away a corner kick. The uncovered Rocha was able to net the ball just in front of goalkeeper Shinton. 2-1, a very sour result after a sterling first half by Blue Black.
Shion Homma and Jorne Spileers replaced Mondele and Ordoñez at the start of the second half. Club NXT went in search of the equalizer. However, the first danger came again from Rocha, but goalkeeper Shinton caught the ball. Our Japanese was immediately well in the game, serving both Mertens and Vermant, but neither striker could finish. On a yellow black counterattack, the leather finally reached Serge Tabekou who scored the 3-1. With half an hour left on the clock, Coach Hayen brought in Daniel Pérez for the tired Talbi. Our youngsters worked hard, but unfortunately did not score. It was goalkeeper Shinton who had to take a shot from yet another Rocha. Vermant, who had broken through, was then brought down just before the penalty area. Engels popped the free kick into the wall, however, and on the rebound, goalkeeper Delanghe easily stopped the attempt. The Bruges goallie was very lucky afterwards when the ball collided just in front of him and the 4-1 was still missed. Rocha continued to be a thrashing for the Club NXT defense. Fortunately, he was no longer as efficient as in the first half. His last attempt went just wide of the goal post outside. Vermant and Pérez still tried to score the tying goal, but to no avail. After two creditable performances, Club NXT is left with a one out of six. Next Sunday, RWDM will visit The Nest in Roeselare. Our youngsters are eager to reap the first three-peat. Supporters come and support them en masse.
Club NXT: Nick Shinton, Kyriani Sabbe (77' Denzel De Roeve), Joel Ordoñez (46' Shion Homma), Mauricio Cuevas, Chemsdine Talbi (63' Daniel Pérez), Arne Engels, Lennart Mertens, Romeo Vermant, Lukas Mondele (46' Jorne Spileers), Liam De Smet, Joaquin Seys. Bench: Kiany Vroman, Sem Audoor, Lenn De Smet. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Lierse-Kempenzonen: Maxime Delanghe, Pieter De Schrijver, Joedrick Pupe, Brent Laes, Sebastiaan Brebels, Lucas Walbrecq (55' Guillaume De Schryver), Thibaut Van Acker, Leonardo Rocha, Mehdi
Tarfi (78' Daan Vekemans), Jordy Gillekens, Serge Tabekou (67' Nils Schouterden). Coach: Tom Van Imschoot.
Goals: 2' Rocha 1-0, 32' Talbi 1-1, 44' Rocha 2-1, 54' Tabekou 3-1.
Yellow cards: Pupe, Pérez.
Referee: Anthony Letellier.
Stadium: Herman Vanderpoorten stadium