KFC Uerdingen continues its winning streak—also in the top match of the Oberliga Niederrhein: It beat SpVg Schonnebeck 1-0.

It was the top match in the Oberliga Niederrhein: Would SpVg Schonnebeck close in on league leaders Ratingen 04/19, or would KFC Uerdingen, with the Ratingen game still in hand, move up the table? KFC Uerdingen was unbeaten in five games, while Schonnebeck had even collected points in each of its last seven games.

After the KFC fans had presented an impressive choreography, the game got underway. And SpVg Schonnebeck took control at first. However, they were not particularly convincing.

As the first half progressed, KFC Uerdingen also found their way into the game. After 27 minutes, Ephraim Kalonji, who scored twice in the 4-2 friendly win against VfB Bottrop during the week, had a huge chance but was blocked. After 39 minutes, Niko Bosnjak tried his luck for Schonnebeck but was also blocked. Shortly before the break, Jonas Holzum had to intervene again. The KFC keeper saved his team the 0-0 score at half-time. In the second half, KFC was better. However, after a cross from Mohamed Benktib, Kalonji took too long to shoot and lost the ball to Schonnebeck’s keeper Lukas Lingk (53′).

Uerdingen pushed harder and harder for the 1-0 lead, and after 66 minutes, the moment finally arrived: following a free kick from around 35 meters, Ole Päffgen was in exactly the right place in the penalty area and slotted the ball into the net. But just six minutes later, Schonnebeck came within a hair’s breadth of finding the equalizer.

Substitute Lennon Jung found himself free in the penalty area. Nedzhib Hadzha made a desperate sliding tackle to save the day and deflected the ball over the goal.

But Schonnebeck was running out of time. With no equalizer coming in the five minutes of added time, KFC Uerdingen ultimately took home the hugely important 1-0 victory. KFC remains in third place, but can overtake Schonnebeck with a win in their rescheduled match against Ratingen. Conversely, the league leaders can create some breathing room at the top with three points.