Club NXT U23 faced a difficult away game in the derby at Gaverbeek. Our youngsters fought the whole match with full devotion. In the first half, Denzel De Roeve finished off a quick rush brilliantly. Whatever Zulte Waregem tried, a strong performing Nick Shinton was not floored. A golden three-pointer for Club NXT U23.
The home team had some old acquaintances in the starting line-up: Zinho Gano, Jelle Vossen and our former captain Ruud Vormer. At Blauw-Zwart, Bjorn Meijer, recovered from his injury, got his first playing minutes. Seys therefore started on the bench, together with Granados. Striker Vermant was out with an injury. Norwegian Faraas got his first starting spot.
Both teams started the match quietly. It was a short wait for the first real chance. The fast Salah advanced and brought the ball in front of goal, where the Bruges front line was just not reached. After just over fifteen minutes of play, though, it was prize. Another quick breakaway from Blauw-Zwart. Homma and Salah danced with the home defense. Salah finally reached De Roeve who delightfully popped the ball in across the corner. 0-1. Soon after, our flank defender tried again, but his shot went wide of the goal. Club NXT U23 had the best chances. Meijer put through on his flank after a bold pass from Homma. Unfortunately, Decostere was also well along and worked the leather into a corner kick.
After just over half an hour, Jelle Vossen showed himself for the first time. Captain Et-Taïbi lost the ball to the Zulte-Waregem striker, but could only just intervene afterwards to prevent Vossen from scoring. Homma was a scourge for the sluggish home team. At speed, he advanced centrally toward the sixteen. He found Salah who was all alone. Unfortunately, he did not get the ball well under control and goalkeeper Bostyn was able to prevent the 0-2 with a foot sweep. Shortly before half-time, Zulte-Waregem got more and more grip on the game and pressed Club NXT U23 back. It resulted in some dangerous chances for the home team. Jelle Vossen headed a cross in front of goal, where Jano Willems dueled with Zinho Gano and the ball ended up in a corner. Brüls brought the leather perfectly in front of goal where Gano always had to score with his head. Goalkeeper Shinton put a stop to it with a fine reflex. In the rebound Gano popped high over goal. In extra playing time, Et-Taïbi choked on the ball, Jelle Vossen took it. He immediately sent Gano deep. Eye to eye with Shinton, the striker decided right on our again strongly playing goalie. Vossen was also unable to tap in the 1-1 in the recovery thanks to an ultimate intervention by Willems. We went to rest with a beating heart with a 0-1 lead.
