DJK Sportfreunde Katernberg complete the field of semi-finalists in the Essen District Cup. There was a clear victory on Thursday.

The field of participants in the semi-finals of the Essen District Cup is complete. On Thursday evening, DJK Sportfreunde Katernberg were the last team to book a ticket for the last four.

Coach Sascha Fischer’s team eliminated the regional league team SpVgg Steele – and did so by a clear margin. They defeated their higher-class opponents 3:0 (1:0) away from home at Langmannskamp.

Goal scorer Kevin Zamkiewicz made it 1:0 for DJK before the break (42′). The Sportfeunde went one better in the second half: First Melih Bulut increased the lead (58′), then Marcel Welscher made the final decision as the final quarter of an hour approached (76′).

Katernberg’s path to the final leads via another regional league team. FC Kray awaits in the semi-finals. The match is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17 (7 p.m.). Kray beat Blau-Weiß Mintard 2:1 in the quarter-finals. The team from Essen have already improved significantly compared to last season, when they crashed out of the first round against SV Burgaltendorf (0:6).

The second finalist will be determined in the duel between Vogelheimer SV and SG Schönebeck (also April 17, time to be determined). This would even make an internal district league final possible, as Katernberg’s league rivals Vogelheim won 4:2 after extra time against VfB Frohnhausen on Wednesday evening. At Schönebeck, the decision against ESC Rellinghausen came after a penalty shoot-out (5:2).

And SpVgg Steele? After their cup exit, they can now fully focus on the relegation battle in the Landesliga. With two wins in a row, the team from Essen is now back within reach of the safety net. The gap is two points.

Meanwhile, Katernberg is in fifth place in the district league, far away from the promotion and relegation battle – and can look forward to the highlight at FC Kray in the semi-finals