TIBO BAETEN YET AGAIN

JONG GENK - BEERSCHOT  1 - 2

Nice victory for Beerschot who made it more difficult for themselves as necsessary. Jong Genk were vey much second best in the first half but our Mannekes missed too many chances to have the game in the bag at half time. Tibo Baeten again made the difference with two well taken goals - his sixth and seventh of this campaign.

Apostolos Konstantopoulos was het new face in our defense for this away game in the Cegeka Arena. Our Greek youth international played as right centreback, next to Van den Bergh and Matthys. Beerschot put the pressure on from the start, overran an outplayed the home team... and scored after just three minutes: great and clever low cross from Verlinden and Baeten calmly put the ball in the net. A perfect start for our Mannekes.

Jong Genk didn't get a foot in in the first half. Our goalkeeper Bill Lathouwers could easily have taken 45 minutes off as he wasn't called upon once. All the action happened in the opposite box with Beerschot threatening, combining well and creating chances. Verlinden, Thorisson, Baeten and Nzita had good scoring opportunities but all missed the target.

The second half started in overdrive with Verlinden hitting the crossbar, followed by two goals in as many minutes. One for each side. The home team equalised when Beniangba hit home high and dry... but Beerschot's reaction came immediately. And again it was Baeten who was on hand to slot home after Verlinden's shot was saved but not contained by the goalkeeper. What a prolific goalscorer our number 7 is.

Now it was Jong Genk that put the pressure on, leaving open spaces in midfield. But Beerschot didn't capîtalise although Thorisson was unlucky when his header hit the crossbar. The home team then tried to create chaos in the Beerschot box with a couple of high crosses but Lathouwers and our defence sustained and claimed a well deserved victory.

ATTENDANCE: 730
REFEREE: Allaerts
GOALS: 3' Baeten 0-1, 49' Beniangba 1-1, 50' Baeten 1-2
JONG GENK: Leysen, Martens  (81' Diawara), Al Mazyani, Dierckx, Rommens, Bangoura, John (87' Nuozzi), Van de Perre, Beniangba, Geusens, Godts  
BEERSCHOT: Lathouwers, Seydoux (61' Quirynen), Konstantopoulos, Matthys, Van den Bergh, Nzita (90' Koshi), Rigo, Sanusi, Verlinden (68' Sebaou), Baeten, Thorisson
YELLOW CARDS: Bangoura, Seydoux, Dierckx, Koshi
RED CARDS: 90+3' Al Mazayani

By Danny Geerts
Photo: Jan Mees