Beforehand most teams in the NordicBet Liga would probably be satisfied with getting a point in Silkeborg, but a hard-fighting Helsingør side led most of the match, and could be disappointed with Sunday's draw. In particular the defense was superb at FCH, and Silkeborg did not often get through to chances.
The first five minutes started with high and aggressive pressure from FC Helsingør. Silkeborg stood deep in their lines, and defended well, and the only approach to a chance was a dropping ball behind the defense, which Lucas Haren got onto inside the box, but the passing options in front of goal were closed down.
After just under ten minutes FCH got a free kick outside the box. The first ball was put in at head height by TK, and after a couple of clearances and recoveries the ball ended up with Matheus, who finished in the middle of a cluster of friends and foes. The shot was blocked, and sailed in a high arc down to Nicolas Mortensen on the left side of the box. He tried a first-time shot on goal, but Silkeborg goalkeeper Hedvall was in place, and could gather between his own legs.
Silkeborg fought their way better into the game as the half went on, and tried to find Ronnie Schwartz with runs in behind toward FCH's goal. But the Helsingør defense was alert, and several times prevented the dangerous striker from getting away. We had to wait until the 18th minute before SIF had a shot. Jeppe Okkels had sneaked up to the edge of the box and got the ball in a good position. He pulled the trigger, but Mikkel Bruhn came down well and caught the effort.
After 21 minutes SIF got a free kick a couple of meters outside FCH's penalty area. Anders Hagelskjær went to the ball, and struck a sneaky shot toward the top right corner, but Mikkel Bruhn was again alert and saved right up at the junction. A really good save from Bruhn.
The match then entered a phase where both teams were a little cautious. There were many sideways passes, and Silkeborg mostly looked for counterattacks that did not come, while FCH tried to find gaps in the Silkeborg lines. There was, however, an approach to a single chance, when Okkels made another good run into the box, but in front of goal Ibrahim Samrawi got in with an important toe before Okkels could shoot, and the ball was cleared out of the FCH box.
After 36 minutes FCH won the ball in their own box. TK brought the ball forward and found Patrick Olsen's run in behind. After a quick 1-2 with Lucas Haren, Haren got a shot away, the shot was blocked again, and went over the crossbar. Good, quick counterplay from FC Helsingør.
But shortly before half-time FC Helsingør finally managed to break the deadlock. A throw-in was sent in like a cannonball in front of goal by Jonas Henriksen, and there Daniel Jørgensen rose highest and headed it unreachably into the net behind Oscar Hedvall's gloves.
1-0 FC Helsingør
That meant that FCH a couple of minutes later could go into the dressing room with a 1-0 lead, after a well-played half, where especially the defensive work had been very disciplined.
After five minutes of the second half FCH got another throw-in. Jonas Henriksen again threw long and accurately, and in front Daniel Jørgensen flicked it on toward the back post, where Nicolas Mortensen in a hard battle got up and headed the ball. Unfortunately he could not quite direct the ball the right way, and it skimmed past the outside of the post.
It was Silkeborg who pressed afterward, but FC Helsingør stood well in the lines, and repeatedly sent Matheus and Haren off on counterattacks after recoveries, but in front of goal the Silkeborg players stood guard, and there was a long way between the clear chances.
After 64 minutes SIF got a corner. It was headed away by Jonas Henriksen, and likewise with the next one. On the third corner Silkeborg's Nambishi managed to get a shot away, but right up under the crossbar Mikkel Bruhn again rose and gathered.
With 73 minutes on the clock, substitute Douglas beat his man on the right side. He found Matheus inside the box, and the lively Brazilian made a nifty move and shot toward the far post, but his shot went just wide.
Five minutes later FCH got another throw-in, which Jonas Henriksen threw toward Daniel Jørgensen. The big center-back got his head to it, but the ball was blocked and went back out into the box. There Nicolas Mortensen won it and laid it back diagonally to Patrick Olsen, who shot first time, but his hard shot went just over the crossbar.
A minute later Silkeborg's Shkodran Maholi suddenly broke free of the offside trap and had a clear run at goal. But Mikkel Bruhn was flying this Sunday, and stayed up long enough to stop the shot. Huge chance for Silkeborg. Huge save by Mikkel Bruhn.
But five minutes from time misfortune hit FC Helsingør in the worst possible way. A cross into the FCH box was attempted cleared by Nicolas Mortensen, who unfortunately struck the ball completely wrong. The deflected ball caught Mikkel Bruhn on the wrong leg and flew into the net. Bad, bad luck, and goal for Silkeborg.
1-1 Silkeborg IF
The referee added five minutes, and 30 seconds from time it was Silkeborg who were attacking. Twice they got into the box. Twice they got shots away. But both times the Helsingør defense blocked it. Thus it ended in a share of the points against the league leaders, but it was a Helsingør side that walked disappointed into the dressing room, well aware that they had been the best team on the day.
FCH: Bruhn, Bay, Jørgensen, Henriksen, Samrawi, Basse (77’ Warner), "TK" Kögler, Olsen, Mortensen (Osama 89’), Matheus, Haren (’68 Douglas)
