Two teams who, according to the experts, could be on a par in the 3rd division. This is how evenly Rot-Weiss Essen’s last test match at SC Verl went.
One more week and then it’s back to business. Next Friday, Rot-Weiss Essen opens the third league season at Hallescher FC (7 p.m.). How fit are the Red-Whites, how is their form after weeks of intensive preparation? The dress rehearsal at the league rival in East Westphalia should provide information on this.
How much of the starting eleven would coach Christoph Dabrowski field in Verl? A lot, one can assume, because except for Sascha Voelcke, who played for the injured Ekin Celebi on the left side of the defense, it could well be the team that will be on the field in Halle. With Moussa Doumbouya in the storm center, and with Vinko Sapina on the six as a worker for the buildup.
The observers at SC Verl also agreed that the first eleven could look like this. So the same conditions at the league rivals. The first 60 minutes were evenly balanced, with no highlights. Safty first on both sides. Both the Esseners and the hosts tried to find a rhythm by controlling the ball. Chances hardly resulted. Verl had more possession, but it was only rarely dangerous in front of Jakob Golz’s goal.
The Red-Whites tried to play a switching game, which didn’t really work. Too often they allowed themselves an imprecise passing game, so that the ball landed early again in the feet of the Verler. The offense was mostly initiated on the right, where Andreas Wiegel showed a lot of verve. “Isi” Young in turn tried hard in front of it, but remained luckless. The scene in the 41st minute, when he had asserted himself well on the wing, but arrived at the baseline, the ball stumbled.
RWE misses the equalizer despite good chances
In the second 60 minutes, Lucas Brumme got his chance. RWE had announced two hours earlier that the left winger had been offered a contract until the summer of 2024. And barely on the pitch Brumme had the first real chance, but failed to beat the Verl keeper. The goalkeeper was also able to react quickly to clear a flying header from him from close range (79th).
At this point it was already 0:1 through Marcel Benger. After a corner kick, RWE and goalkeeper Wienand failed to clear the ball. Out of the flurry, SCV first hit the crossbar and Benger finally put the rebound over the line.
The East Westphalians initially had a slight advantage, looked more united and dangerous, but substitute RWE youngster Friessner Montas was unlucky when he only hit the post (91st). And the second great opportunity he had after a cross from Berlinski, but there jumped him the ball too far away (103rd). Berlinski put a header next to the box a little later. Vonci also had a good finish, followed by turbulent scenes in the Verl penalty area. After the chances RWE would have deserved the equalizer.