FC 08 Homburg Secures Second Place with Ristl at the Helm

Ristl header brings three points for Homburg

The game between SG Barockstadt and FC 08 Homburg opened the game day on Friday evening and was brought forward due to a bereavement in the home team’s circle. Because of “delays”, more detailed information was not reported, the game started 15 minutes late. In the first 45 minutes, SGB had the better chances, but Homburg also showed a pleasing offensive game up to the penalty area from time to time. In the second half, FCH goalkeeper Salfeld first prevented a Stegerer own goal, shortly afterwards Perdedaj saved for Homburg just before the line. After SGB goalkeeper Wolf was also able to distinguish himself from a Stegerer header, he was powerless in the 71st minute when Ristl headed in a Mendler corner on the second post. In added time, Hillmann fired another long-range shot just a few centimeters wide of the Homburg goal, after which the away win and the at least temporary jump to second place were in the bag.

Ulm at the tail light

Last against first, in Koblenz a mandatory task awaits SSV Ulm. In addition, you want to keep the cushion at the top of course. There are currently six at Offenbach, five at Steinbach should Haiger win their outstanding catch-up game. A stumble in Koblenz would of course put increased pressure on the “sparrows”. They recently won against Hoffenheim II, but without shining. But efficiency is one of the strengths of the league leaders, who are still only conceding twelve goals from 22 games. Opponent Koblenz, however, can still hope for relegation. Points are needed to collect Eintracht Trier first. “It’s additional motivation to compete with the best,” says RW coach Adrian Alipour, “but they won’t underestimate us one hundred percent.”

But the current number one pursuers, the Kickers from Offenbach, are also on Saturday. “We want to increase the pressure on Ulm,” said midfielder Björn Jopek after the recently hard-fought 2-1 win over Freiberg: “These are the games you have to win.” This also applies to the coming one: It goes to VfR Aalen, which in turn is in the middle of the relegation race twelve games before the end of the season. After successful preparation, VfR lost the start against Homburg, the following game in Kassel was canceled and should be made up for next Tuesday. Offenbach, on the other hand, is in rhythm, the three competitive games since winter have all been won – albeit “tough”, as coach Ersatan Palatan classifies. “Aalen is a team that works,” he warns.

Meanwhile, TSG Balingen meets Hessen Kassel and, after losing the win late against Homburg, wants to pick up three points again. It also needs it to continue to belong to the circle of pursuers. For Kassel, on the other hand – as is generally the case for the teams from rank 13 – a relegation battle is the order of the day, this also applies to Wormatia Worms, who have to deal with FSV Mainz 05 II, and Eintracht Trier, who are dueling with Bahlinger SC. If the respective opponents are in the secure midfield, that could change quickly for Astoria Walldorf if the game against SGV Freiberg is lost. FSV Frankfurt and VfB Stuttgart II, who meet in a direct duel, no longer have to worry.

Haiger in Hoffenheim

There is only one game left on Sunday, but it is relevant again for the top: TSV Steinbach Haiger wants to overcome the TSG Hoffenheim II hurdle in order to continue to breathe his own breath into the neck of Primus Ulm. With the 2-0 win against Bahlingen during the week, the third competitive game after the winter was also won. But be careful: the first leg was lost 0:3 on their own pitch.