De Graafschap fell short in the home game against Helmond Sport on Friday evening. After more than 95 minutes of football, the score was 2-3 on the scoreboard.
Quickly falling behind
Although De Graafschap had the first chances in the opening phase, it was Helmond Sport that took the lead early on. After 12 minutes, the score was 0-1 after Théo Gollaird took full advantage for the Helmond team after a ball got stuck in the goal mouth of the Achterhoekse Trots. De Graafschap certainly tried and also had chances, but the ball eventually fell in again on the other side. Striker Dario Sits nodded a cross from the right flank into the goal, goalkeeper Joshua Smits was just unable to stop the ball before the goal line: 0-2.
Just before Helmond Sport’s second goal, De Graafschap may have had the best chance of the first half. Jesse van de Haar kept the ball well and turned freely, but his shot went just over Wouter van der Steen’s goal. Five minutes before half-time, captain Jeffry Fortes tried from a distance. His shot was beautiful and hard, but Van der Steen was able to save it again, just like on all the other dangerous chances in the first half.
Strong opening phase after half time
After the break, De Graafschap finally threw off all their inhibitions and played full attack. This resulted in a lot of pressure on Helmond’s goal and a handful of good chances. Unfortunately, the ball often fell wrong for the Superboeren in the final phase. It took until more than an hour of play before Ibrahim El Kadiri did something back with a beautiful goal; 1-2. De Graafschap kept pressing, but got the lid on the nose at the other end when Jonas Scholz was allowed to take a corner kick on the chest and then volleyed past Smits.
The 1-3 seemed to be the decision, but Yannick Eduardo’s good drive in the second minute of injury time made it exciting after all. The striker stuck his leg in front of a ball that was shot away and the ball ricocheted into Van der Steen’s goal. De Graafschap then tried to equalize, but it didn’t get any further than 2-3.
De Graafschap will resume the competition on Monday evening, September 23, visiting Jong AZ.
De Graafschap – Helmond Sport: 2-3
Spectators: 10.325.
