In snow-white uniforms, like the Royal teams from Madrid, our matadors (another word for outstanding or bullfighter) played the derby against Helmond Sport D1 this afternoon. PSV D1 started this match well and within a few minutes PSV managed to create three good chances. In the tenth minute it was a goal when Rai Vloet managed to lob the ball neatly over the Helmond Sport goalkeeper. Shortly after, Helmond Sport looked to score the equalizer, but fortunately the ball disappeared wide of the goal defended by Jeroen Meurs. In the same minute at the other end, Jeroen Meefout deftly passed his opponent and delivered a neat cross, which Michael Maria finished off. After this, one fine attack after another rolled towards the Helmond Sport goal. Before half-time, PSV managed to find the net four more times through goals by Rai Vloet (2x) and by Michael Maria (2x), so PSV D1 went to rest with a 6-0 lead.
The question was no longer whether PSV D1 would win this uneven battle, but with how many goals difference. In the beginning of the second half PSV D1 created several good chances, but Helmond Sport D1 almost scored from a counter. Daan Bollen, however, managed to make an excellent save.
Only after twenty minutes in the second the PSV D1 goal machine started to get going again and it was the 'man of the match' Rai Vloet who managed to find the net three times within five minutes, bringing his total in this match to five goals. Number ten hung in the air, but thanks in part to heroic goalkeeping by Helmond Sport's goalkeeper, this was spared the courageous opponents from Helmond. The biggest league win of this season was a fact (9-0). Meanwhile, the results of the competition were also known: Willem II D1 managed to win 4-0 from VVV D1 at home and MVV D1 lost two important points in the away match against RKC D1 (5-5), which means that PSV D1 and Willem II D1 remain side by side in the lead and MVV D1 has definitely dropped out of the battle for the championship. Next week, PSV D1 plays the tough home game against the well-performing MVV D1 and the Tricolores (another name for Willem II) play the seemingly easy home game against FC Den Bosch D1. The tension is palpable and the question is which of the two frontrunners (PSV and/or Willem II) has their nerves under control the best. We will know in two games.....

Report courtesy of Peter Meefout