Leaders Sportfreunde Baumberg have increased their lead in the Oberliga Niederrhein. KFC Uerdingen and Spvg Schonnebeck are also winners on the matchday.

In the race for the championship in the Oberliga Niederrhein, Sportfreunde Baumberg have consolidated their lead at the top of the table. SFB prevailed 3-2 at Adler Union Frintrop on Sunday afternoon, but ultimately faltered against the promoted team from Essen. After leading 3-0, Frintrop came close once more, but ultimately it was not enough to secure a point against the leaders.

Baumberg’s lead is now eight points. Ratingen 04/19 were the first team to slip up. Martin Hasenpflug’s team remained winless for the second time in a row as they squandered a 2-0 lead against Union Nettetal. Ratingen has played one game less than Baumberg and the two clubs have yet to decide the outcome. It is not yet clear whether either club will even apply for a regional league license. Ratingen are leaning towards a yes.

KFC Uerdingen are now in third place in the table – and are likely to apply for the Regionalliga in any case. The Krefeld side bounced back on Saturday with a 2:1 win at TVD Velbert. It was the first game after the departure of coach Marcus John.

Spvg Schonnebeck are now one point behind them – level on points with VfB Hilden. In the direct duel between the two teams, Schonnebeck managed a 6:2 victory, and at one point it even looked like the Hilden team would suffer a heavy defeat with the score at 5:0. Calvin Küper stood out for the Essen side with a treble. As they have played one game less than KFC, the question of promotion could also gradually become an issue at Schetters Busch.

ETB Schwarz-Weiß Essen also celebrated a victory, winning 2-0 at relegation-threatened TSV Meerbusch after scoring two goals in the second half and keeping pace with the chasing pack in seventh place.

Mülheimer FC missed out on their second win in their second game since the return of coach Ahmet Inal. MFC lost 2-1 to SV Sonsbeck and are therefore still deep in the relegation battle. Anil Yildirim put the promoted team ahead in the away game (15th), but Robin Schoofs (25th) and Felix Geisler (86th) turned the game around for Sonsbeck, who remain in the upper midfield of the table.

By contrast, the situation is becoming increasingly complicated for Sportfreunde Hamborn, who remain in last place following the withdrawal of SV Straelen. At SC St. Tönis, the Duisburg side missed the chance to drag their opponents back down into the basement. They lost 2:0 after a brace from Johann Noukumo (16th, 54th), while Tönisvorst continue to climb up the table