Westerlo is recovering after last Tuesday’s 6-1 pandoing. Nicolas Madsen’s first professional goal and a beautiful goal by Nene Dorgeles were enough to secure the victory. This victory means a fifth home defeat and a provisional last place for KV Kortrijk.
Compared to last week, the Guldenspoor Stadium looked empty. Not difficult, because then the neighbors from Waregem came to visit. The fire from the derby was nowhere to be seen in the initial phase. Except for opportunities from Foster, who saw his shot miss Ilic’s goal, and Lamkel Zé, it was a sleep-inducing first half. Yet we did not doze off completely: referee Smet – surprisingly – drew a red card for Pape Gueye after a VAR intervention. The Kortrijk striker seemed to deal a blow to Perdichizzi. Everyone thought the ref was watching a possible hand game by Bolat, but Smet had the Senegalese of KVK visit the changing rooms early. An ideal situation for the Ruffs.
After some enthusiasm the pace dropped again. Westerlo did not push through and, despite the man more situation, was unable to pull the match. It was even Kortrijk who almost took the lead. Messaoudi broke free from his guard and was able to easily kick a free kick against the ropes at the far post. However, the Algerian hesitated just a little too much, so that Bolat saved. The home team missed a unique opportunity there, as Westerlo came out of the dressing rooms brighter.
Madsen’s first professional goal
Jonas De Roeck’s men smelled blood and it struck right away. At first Dessoleil got in the way on a shot by Madsen, but in the rebound the Dane hit the bottom of the bar. No chance for goalkeeper Ilic. The victory seemed to have been won, but KV Kortrijk did not give up. A sly free kick by Keita hit the post and Avenatti forced Bolat to a fine reflex with a header. Red and white deserved more, but it clearly needs a flashy Lamkel Zé now that Selemani is out. Not that the Cameroonian was bad today, but you can expect those flashes (in the positive sense) from a player of his level.
The match seemed to be heading for a dry 0-1 victory, but that was not counted on substitute Nene. He got the leather from Madsen and curled the ball in wonderfully. With this victory, Westerlo has entered the top six for the time being. KV Kortrijk drops to last place for the time being.
Line-up KV Kortrijk: Ilic, Sych, Sunset (75′ Silva), Watanabe, D’Haene, Vandendriessche (75′ Mbayo), Keita, Messaoudi (61′ Loncar), Lamkel Ze, Gueye, Avenatti (88′ Luqman).
Westerlo line-up: Bolat, Reynolds, Seigers, Perdichizzi, De Cuyper, Fixelles (70′ Vetokele), Madsen, Mineiro (77′ Neustädter), Chadli (62′ Nene), Foster, Akbunar (70′ Dierckx).
Goals: 48′ Madsen 0-1, 83′ Nene 0-2 (Madsen).
Yellow cards: 30′ Reynolds (foul), 74′ Mineiro (foul).
Red cards: 27′ Gueye (stroke).
Referee: Wim Smet.
