Lommel, Lierse and SK Beveren. A few days after the curtain fell on the bankrupt Deinze, this trio seemed to be fighting more than ever for two tickets in the top six. And so the meeting between Waaslanders and Pallieters was an ideal opportunity for the two traditional clubs to make a clear statement. A clear message, which initially seemed to reach the ears of mainly the home team. Because the first big opportunity was not by chance for Beveren. New signing Mertens shot wide from close range on a pass from Kerrigan. The experienced striker also remained dry in his third match in a yellow-blue shirt. Lierse responded timidly with a few pinpricks, but the home team’s opening goal just before the half hour was certainly not unexpected. Corner Servais, headed in by the completely detached Wuytens. Both Claes and Boone stood there and looked at it.
Another deficit, again no clean sheet, again in deep misery. Sow and Claes responded with bullets towards Reus, which even the Ukrainian army would turn up its nose these days. Blanks, which fluttered meters away from the frame. It was poor, very poor on the side of the Lier residents. Loose sand, no cohesion. The curtain could and should have fallen before half time, but Servais still incomprehensibly pushed the ball wide after the visitors’ stupid loss of ball. With thanks, because that kept the tension intact.
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Grinta, dueling power, passion. These were the ingredients that could help Lierse make a turnaround in the second part. The Pallieters also camped a little further on the Beverse half and quickly became dangerous. However, Reus knew what to do with a dangerous ball from Masaki. Bark, don’t bite. Beveren did that, but Mertens’ goal was ruled offside. And so the people of Lieren were given a second life. Although Christophe Grégoire’s club did not immediately take advantage of this. The game remained messy, the visiting opportunities scarce. Even when SK Beveren found themselves with ten after a second yellow card for Coopman. In injury time, Beveren was even reduced to nine after a bold tackle by Everton Luiz, but even that did not lead to a Liers goal. Also because an attempt by Adinany was blocked in the ultimate final.
And so for Lierse, after the boost, another letdown. In the first two matchdays, it has now been the last time that yellow-black has been able to win two matches in a row. Barely 19 out of 45 is the report after the first round, 6 out of 21 the harvest over the past two months. It is a wonder that the Pallieters are still flirting with a place in the top six with those figures. Even after the fresh defeat in the Waasland. But with the volatility that has been blowing over the Lisp for an entire season, the hope of a place in the play-offs is in danger of remaining a distant dream.
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BEAVER: Reus, Jans, Filipovic, Wuytens, Corryn, Coopman, Dewaele, Kerrigan, Dassy (39′ Bateau 60′ Moustapha), Servais (81′ Michiwaki), Mertens (81′ Everton Luiz).
LIERSE: Peerman, Marijnissen, Boone (92′ Da Costa), Perdichizzi, Masaki (88′ Sampers), Mpanzu, Daguin, Claes (88′ El Touile), Kireev, Sow, Adinany.
GOAL: 26’ Wuytens 1-0.
YELLOW CARDS: 18′ Dewaele, 44′ Marijnissen, 54′ Kireev, 73′ Mertens, 77′ Moustapha, 92′ Reus.
RED CARDS: 80′ Coopman (2x yellow), 91′ Everton Luis.
REFEREE: Letellier.
SPECTATORS: 3.500.
