Club NXT U23 had to face a strong Lommel SK. The Limburgers created high pressure almost the entire match. In the first half Blauw-Zwart held their own, but in the second half Seuntjes and Schoofs scored twice for Lommel SK.
At Club NXT U23, Granados returned to the starting lineup after an injury. Campbell also rejoined the game. Lommel immediately took control of the match and almost scored in the first minute. Fortunately, the ball went narrowly wide of the post via goalkeeper Vanden Driessche. Lommel put constant pressure on our defense. Blauw-Zwart could hardly play out, but the Limburgers did not create any really big chances. On the other side Campbell showed himself a first time, but his shot was too weak to surprise goalkeeper Pieklak. After fifteen minutes of play, Vanden Driessche was able to clear a hard shot from close range. He also stopped the rebound. Good work by the young goalkeeper. This was followed by a period with little goal threat until the ball hit the post. There Club NXT U23 escaped a deficit. Shortly before rest, Granados was unable to finish via a free kick. We went to rest at 0-0.
At the start of the second half, Granados was replaced by Goemaere. Through an initial attack on the left flank, Lommel was able to put the ball in front of goal where Seuntjes netted the 0-1 past Vanden Driessche. A cold shower at the start of the second half. Lommel continued to control the match. Blauw-Zwart went in search of the equalizer, but struggled to really threaten goalkeeper Pieklak. The substitute Musuayi tried to advance via an individual action, but was stopped at the edge of the penalty area. A shot by Bisiwu was also blocked. Ball loss by Amengai almost made it a double, but Vanden Driessche saved cleverly. Unfortunately, a few minutes later it was price for the Limburgers. Schoofs was able to net the 0-2 in the center of the penalty area via a rebound over our goalie. Afterwards, Vanden Driessche even prevented the 0-3. Musuayi had a chance to score the tying goal, but the ball went over the goal. Thus, the match ended in a 0-2 defeat. Next Saturday, Club NXT U23 will visit the Futures of Anderlecht. Our youngsters are eager to score the first three-peat there.
Club NXT U23: Argus Vanden Driessche, Wout Verlinden (61' Jano Willems), Vince Osuji, Samuel Gomez Van Hoogen, Sem Audoor, Alejandro Granados (46' Laurens Goemaere), Naïm Amengai, Shandre Campbell (77' Rayan Buifrahi), Thibaut Van Acker, Jesse Bisiwu (74 Tobias Lund Jensen), Jakke Van Britsom (61' Yanis Musuayi).
Bench: Stefan Ostojci, Grady McDonnell, Renzo Tytens, Gianluca Okon.
Coach: Tim Wolf.
SK Lommel: Matthias Pieklak, Sam De Grand, Dries Wouters, Rubin Seigers (68' Henry Oware), Jesper Tolinsson, Nicolas Rommens (68' Lautaro Lopez), Lucas Schoofs, Zalan Vancsa (68' Joey Pelupessy), Tom Reyners (77' John Montano), Mohamed Salah, Ralf Seuntjes (57' Jason Van Duiven).
Bench: Rik Vercauteren, Timothy Eyoma, Dominion Ohaka, Faniel Tewelde.
Coach: Lee Johnson.
Goals: 47' Seuntjes 0-1, 73' Schoofs 0-2.
Yellow cards: 43' Bisiwu, 64' Van Duiven.
Referee: Dunken Van de Velde.
Stadium: The Nest Roeselare.
Spectators: 135.