The report

After two away games in Rotterdam, the O15 got to play at De Herdgang again in the ninth round of play. The games against Feyenoord and Sparta yielded only one point (0-0 last week against Sparta) and no goals, dropping the team to fifth place on the league table with 14 points. Today's opponent, FC Utrecht, was one position lower prior to the match, with one point less. Striking statistic regarding the Domstadelingen: they scored at least one goal every game. Would PSV O15 keep the points in Eindhoven and end three consecutive games without a win?

The first opportunity was for PSV when Dylan Hopman almost scored in the second minute with a backward header after a corner from Mylian Jimenez. The biggest chance in the early stages, however, was for FC Utrecht when an Eindhoven corner was deflected and the guests were able to storm in on goalkeeper Aron van Lare via a quickly executed counter. The ball was skilfully pushed past the outgoing Aron, but fortunately the ball went wide on the (for PSV) good side of the post. PSV gradually regained control and Jasper Huijzer was a real nuisance for the Utrecht defense, especially on the left flank. A number of his attempts ran aground on the keeper, wide or over the goal. He was also unlucky that a sharply cut cross ended up on the post. In the 25th minute, Martijn Zuijderwijk had the perfect opportunity to score the opening goal. With a wonderfully nonchalant outside foot Jasper put him in front of the goalkeeper, but this effort also went wide. Eventually the home team got the lead they deserved. Dyon Dorenbosch put Jasper back to work on the left. His cross was extended and headed in from close range by Dylan Hopman: 1-0. After Martijn tested the goalkeeper's qualities with a good shot, both teams went to rest with a 1-0 score.

The second half was of a lesser level. In the first phase the game was mainly played in the Eindhoven half. Without Utrecht being dangerous. Only after an hour of play did Aron have to pull out all the stops to keep his goal clean. In the closing stages the guests tried to force the equalizer. This gave PSV more space up front. This led to chances for Mohamed Nassoh, who shot wide, and Milan van de Riet, who also saw his shot go wide. Just before time Utrecht got a free shot opportunity from around the sixteen-meter line, but the shot went well over after which PSV had the last chance of the match. A shot by Milan was narrowly turned away by the Utecht goalie with his big toe.

So it remained 1-0, allowing PSV to add another three points to their total and keep the connection with the (sub)top. A compliment to the team that managed to be the first team not to score a Utrecht goal and hardly gave away any chances.

Setup: Aron van Lare (c); D'Leanu Arts, Jenson Seelt (52' Jesse Giebels), Nawaaz Landfeld, Deveron Fonville; Dylan Hopman (56' Mohamed Nassoh), Mylian Jimenez, Dyon Dorenbosch; Martijn Zuijderwijk, Milan van de Riet, Jasper Huijzer.

Yellow card: Deveron Fonville