Rot-Weiss Essen won 5-0 at SC St. Tönis and qualified for the last 16 of the Niederrheinpokal. Attacker Leonardo Vonic scored two goals.

Leonardo Vonic played two Lower Rhine Cup matches in the Rot-Weiss Essen shirt and the young striker scored twice in both games. After his brace in the first round at district league team SuS 09 Dinslaken (6:0), he also scored twice on Wednesday evening at the Jahnstadion of top league team SC St. Tönis.

RWE lived up to their role as favourites in Tönisvorst and did not show any weakness in a commanding 5:0 (3:0) victory. In the first half, Vonic played a major role in making it a relaxed and not a thrilling cup evening for the favourites.

In the tenth minute, the 20-year-old speculated correctly after a misplaced back pass from opposing defender Niklas Withofs and scored to make it 2-0. The 3-0 lead (33rd) was also down to Vonic, who got down well in the penalty area and scored from an acute angle, his fourth goal of the current competition.

“We could have added one or two more goals, but apart from that it was alright. We made our mark with the early goals and put the lid on it. That was definitely important,” emphasised the German-Croatian, who was promoting himself on the night, after the final whistle.

While the newcomer was allowed to play twice from the start in the Niederrheinpokal, he is still waiting for his starting debut in the 3rd league. So far, Vonic has been substituted six times, but never played more than 28 minutes. In the recent 2-1 defeat at SSV Ulm 1846, the Darmstadt native at least managed to score his first goal (assist).

The talented striker summed up his first two months at Rot-Weiss Essen as follows: “I actually got off to a good start, but in the last few weeks I’ve improved a bit more. I want to build on that.” Vonic’s goal is clearly formulated: A starting spot. “That’s my goal, of course. Preferably as soon as possible,” he explained.

These are the games you wait for – a highlight game. We are looking forward to it and I especially am. It’s definitely a special game

Leonardo Vonic

Perhaps already on Sunday (01 October, 13.30 hrs). Then the Essen team will be back in action in the 3rd division and will face current leaders Dynamo Dresden at a packed Hafenstraße. The centre-forward is looking forward to this duel: “These are the games you wait for – a highlight match. We’re looking forward to it and I especially am. It’s definitely a special game. “