FC Helsingør visited Lollands Bank Park in Nykøbing today. The home team from Nykøbing do not have much to play for, as they are bottom of the promotion playoffs.
However, that was not obvious at the start of the match. Nykøbing quickly took control and played long balls up towards the big striker Mathias Kristensen. After 6 minutes, Hjalte Petersen saves a too-short back pass. The ball ends up with a Nykøbing player, who finds Mathias Kristensen. He takes the chance from 30 metres and hits the ball perfectly and it sails into the opposite corner. 1-0 to Nykøbing FC.
A couple of minutes later, Nykøbing FC become dangerous again. Nykøbing FC combine well on FC Helsingør's half of the pitch and a Nykøbing player turns and sends an elbow into Philip Rejnhold's head. The referee's whistle remains silent and therefore the Nykøbing striker gets a free run towards FC Helsingør's goal. Hjalte Petersen, however, comes out well and saves the shot. After that it seems as if FC Helsingør wake up and gain the upper hand. They are rewarded after a quarter of an hour, when Kristoffer Munksgaard breaks through on Nykøbing's right side. The goalkeeper comes out a bit awkwardly and Munksgaard pokes it past him and sends the cross low towards Callum McCowatt, who, in a hard battle with a Nykøbing defender, gets to the ball first and pokes it in for 1-1.
The next few minutes FC Helsingør are the most dangerous, and both Tonni Adamsen and Callum McCowatt deliver fine crosses from the wings. Nikolaj Geertsen has a header that is close to going in. After 35 minutes, Philip Rejnhold receives the ball outside the home side's penalty area. He neatly threads the ball to Tonni Adamsen, who, with a fine turn, beats a Nykøbing defender inside the penalty area. The defender puts both hands in Tonni Adamsen's back, causing Tonni to fall in the grass. A clear penalty, but the referee instead awards a corner. 2 minutes before the break, Callum McCowatt gets a big chance. He receives the ball, beats an opponent and sends a delicious inside-foot effort toward the Nykøbing goal.
Unfortunately, the shot hits the crossbar. Deep into first-half stoppage time, Nykøbing FC win a free kick on the left side. The ball is sent into the FC Helsingør box and a Nykøbing player rises and heads toward goal. Hjalte Petersen makes a half save, but on the rebound a Nykøbing player puts the ball in the goal. There is no more action in the 1th half and thus 2-1 to Nykøbing FC at the break.
FC Helsingør come out best in the 2th half and change formation from 4-5-1 to the classic 4-4-2 and it turns out to be a good idea. Already in the 2th minute, Tonni Adamsen takes hold of the ball and drives it forward. He uses substitute Eli Just in a nice one-two and gets free in the box, where he is brought down. This time there is no hesitation from the referee, who blows and points to the spot.
Tonni Adamsen takes responsibility himself and puts the ball safely into the net for 2-2. FC Helsingør remain in possession after the equaliser and now sit heavily on the match with a high press. That creates a couple of chances for, among others, Eli Just and Tonni Adamsen. After a little over an hour's play, it becomes really dangerous as Kristoffer Munksgaard receives the ball on the left side in the Nykøbing box.
He takes a touch inside, which deceives the defender and then places the ball right into the far top corner with a delightful inside-foot finish. Excellent goal by Kristoffer Munksgaard and 2-3 to FC Helsingør. After taking the lead, FC Helsingør remain in possession and the combinations flow beautifully along the grass. However, despite the territorial dominance, it does not lead to the big chances. The game is played on FC Helsingør's terms and mainly in Nykøbing FC's half. In the 80th minute, however, Nykøbing FC break through on the right side. The cross is delivered into the six-yard box, where Mathias Kristensen rises and heads the ball into the goal for 3-3 on their first real chance in the 2th half.
Now it is suddenly Nykøbing FC who have the upper hand and in the 89th minute a shot is taken toward goal from a Nykøbing player. Inside the box, Nicolai Hansen throws himself down to block, but the ball hits his arm and the referee awards a penalty. Mathias Kristensen completes his hat-trick and scores confidently for 4-3.
Nothing more happens in the match and therefore the trip to Lollands Bank Park ends with a 4-3 victory to Nykøbing FC.
Photos: Andreas Birkebæk
