KKD top clubs don’t win, Ihattaren returns and Almere continues

De Graafschap – FC Emmen 1-1
The leader in the Kitchen Champion Division is heading for promotion to the Eredivisie, but was unable to win in Doetinchem on Friday evening. De Graafschap, with interim trainer Jan Vreman at the helm, showed himself to be combative for the home crowd and took the lead after fifteen minutes via Joey Konings. Just before half time, Rui Mendes made it 1-1, but Emmen didn’t get any further.

Almere City – Excelsior 3-0
As number three, Excelsior could benefit from Emmen’s loss of points, but that had been counted outside the period leader Almere City. That team so far won all its games in the fourth period and added a fifth by not giving the Rotterdam-squad a chance. Jeffry Puriel, Ilias Alhaft and Lance Duijvestijn scored the goals and so Almere continues to hope for a period title and participation in the play-offs.

FC Volendam – TOP Oss 1-2
Volendam is in a slump and that was also apparent against Oss. After four minutes, Joshua Sanches already signed for the opening goal on behalf of TOP and that margin was then defended tooth and nail by the Brabant team. The formation of trainer Wim Jonk just couldn’t get through, even conceded the 0-2 from Dean Guezen in injury time and therefore failed to give Emmen and Excelsior a blow. Martijn Kaars’ 1-2 came too late.

NAC Breda – Young Ajax 0-0
The match in the Rat Verlegh Stadium was dominated by the protests against the takeover of NAC by the City Football Group and the return of Mohamed Ihattaren. That remained the case, because there were no goals in Breda. Ihattaren was also unable to change that in the half hour that he was allowed to participate, despite the fact that he had two nice chances.

Other results
VVV-Venlo – ADO The Hague 0-5
Roda JC – Young FC Utrecht 2-1
FC Dordrecht – FC Eindhoven 0-1
Helmond Sport – MVV 1-2
Telstar – FC Den Bosch 1-2
Young AZ – Young PSV 2-0