Mats Sterkens is disappointed after Lyra-Lierse’s draw in the opener: “We failed to reward ourselves” (Lier)

Lyra-Lierse opened its season in the first national division with a 2-2 draw against Ninove on its own Doelvelden. A point for the Pallieters, although the evening could have been a lot more flourishing. “Efficiency determined this result”, according to goalkeeper Mats Sterkens.

After a successful preparation, it was a hopeful wait to see how the promoted Lyra-Lierse would take its first steps in the first national division. With Ninove, the Pallieters were presented with a team on the opening day that had also made the leap upwards. After ninety minutes, it was mainly the home team that, with a somewhat twisted feeling, went back to the dressing room.

“Certainly also because that ball should have been on the spot in the final minute,” judged Mats Sterkens. “Our player is clearly sandwiched, while the ball is already gone. Then you as a referee must also have the courage to whistle a penalty. Even if it is the very last minute of the match.”

A lot of emotions

Everything that preceded that highly questionable phase had already caused quite a few emotions. Lyra-Lierse climbed into the lead just before the break through Jordy Peffer and with that bonus there seemed to be no problem.

“I barely had to catch a ball in the entire first half,” Sterkens says. “We played well and that goal came at an ideal moment. Right after the break we had a huge chance to score a second goal. If that ball went in, the match was over.”

Not so. The match would take a completely different turn after two visiting goals in just eight minutes.

“Really clumsy. The first ball goes in from close range, the second goal against is a deflected ball. There you are as a goalkeeper. Almost no work to do, but had to concede two goals. The difference was in the efficiency on Saturday evening. We had the best and most scoring chances, but Ninove clearly jumped very strongly with its lesser possibilities.”

Focus on the cup match

Through Mathias Schils, Lyra-Lierse eventually managed to pull a well-deserved draw out of the fire. But the question arises whether that will be enough, because the Pallieters will certainly face a series of tough assignments away from home in the coming weeks.

“Well, I think there is a lot of balance in this series. We don’t have to focus so much on assignments at home or away. We already got confirmation on Saturday that we can hold our own in this series. The focus can now be on the cup match against Meux. If we achieve a strong result there, that will bring us an appointment with a first division team and that chance is alive in the group.”