It was a training match in good and bad, when FC Helsingør on Saturday afternoon met head coach Morten Eskesen's old team from the Denmark Series, Køge Nord FC. There was never any doubt about the outcome of the match, and FCH also ended up taking a more than comfortable 7-0 victory on home soil.
It had not been more than five minutes before FCH got the first huge chance, when Anders Holst put in a superb cross to Nicolas Mortensen in front of goal, who headed wide from close range. They would, however, get their revenge later.
In the 8th minute, FC Helsingør got on the scoreboard for the first time. Lucas Haren and Jonas Henriksen played a neat 1-2 combination, which ended with Jonas Henriksen being able to play the ball flat across just in front of Køge's penalty area. There Anders Holst received the ball, took a touch and struck the ball beautifully into the far corner.
1-0 FC Helsingør
Just before we reached the quarter-hour mark, Jeppe Kjær received a brilliant through ball from Andreas Holm, who had moved up into the middle with the ball, and Kjær broke away and was alone with the goalkeeper. However, Køge Nord's keeper played a fine match for his team, came out of his goal and won the ball in a brave tackle in a tight duel with Jeppe Kjær.
We had to wait until the 23th minute before the home team extended their lead. HC ”Kritte” Bonnesen started in an unfamiliar position at left back, but generally handled the task well. He had pushed up, and in a battle for the ball out on the left side he won a free kick when a Køge Nord player kicked too high for the ball and hit Kritte in the face. Kritte was fortunately unhurt, and from the ensuing free kick Anders Holst delivered a really good set piece into the small box, where Nicolas Mortensen had made a good run in. The striker got his head to it and headed the ball home decisively.
2-0 FC Helsingør
Just over half an hour in, Nicolas Mortensen was at it again. He skillfully brought the ball under control and cut into the box, where he was tackled by two Køge Nord players. The ball flew out of the box and landed right at the feet of Anders Holst, who struck it without hesitation and put it into the far corner. Great finish from Holst.
3-0 FC Helsingør
In the 37th minute another goal fell, again from a set piece. Daniel Norouzi took a corner that went to the far post. Nicolas Mortensen was standing ready, and he headed the ball across the small box. There captain Andreas Holm rose highest, and he headed the ball home uncontested past Køge Nord's goalkeeper.
4-0 FC Helsingør
The first half ended with a substitution of Jeppe Kjær, who was replaced by Teddy Bergqvist, as well as a cheeky lob attempt from Lucas Haren, which forced the Køge Nord goalkeeper into a good save in the top corner.
The second half began with a decent chance for the visitors. A Køge Nord player got away on a good through ball, and under pressure on the left side of the box he still managed to get off a good shot toward the far corner, which Kevin Stuhr Ellegaard had to stretch to get down and tip around the post.
Kevin Stuhr had to produce an even better save after 52 minutes, when FCH's offside trap failed, and he suddenly could see two Køge Nord strikers thundering toward him. Kevin Stuhr came out to the edge of the box, and face to face with the ball carrier he stayed on his feet until the very last moment, when he got down and blocked the ball between his legs. Great save. The FCH goalkeeper could, however, count himself lucky that the Køge striker did not square it to his teammate, who was in a completely open position.
Two minutes later, it was instead FC Helsingør who scored. Nicolas Mortensen brought a pass into Køge's box, where a defender swung his arm up to neck height and brought Mortensen down. Clear penalty. Anders Holst took care of it, and coolly placed it past the goalkeeper, as so many times before.
5-0 FC Helsingør
Then followed a period where FC Helsingør dropped deeper on the pitch and left the initiative to the visitors. However, this did not lead to many big chances, although the home team at times was a little sloppy in possession. Substitute Eli Just did, however, show promising signs now and then down the left side, after he had been brought on as left back. In addition, the second half offered a slightly odd feature: Køge Nord were short of players in the squad, and therefore they were allowed to "borrow" three of FC Helsingør's U19 players. Thus both Mathias ”Mac” Christensen, Anosike Ementa and Valdemar Holse got playing time for Køge Nord in the second half, and thus experienced playing against their own club!
Ricki Olsen had also been brought on in the second half, but it was for the "right" team. The veteran has shown good form in pre-season, and after 73 minutes he put in a good cross to Teddy Bergqvist, who, however, placed the ball straight at the goalkeeper. Big chance.
We reached the 80th minute before FCH again put on the finishing touch. Anders Holst took a corner, and in front of goal it was HC ”Kritte” Bonnesen's turn to rise highest, and he headed the ball safely home between friends and foes.
6-0 FC Helsingør
Five minutes later FCH closed it out with the last goal of the match, and it was a beauty. Anders Holst got the ball centrally and intelligently held on to it until the perfect moment, when he slipped it diagonally out to Jonas Henriksen on the right side. The right back put in a sharp cross to the feet of Ricki Olsen, who had moved into the middle, and Ricki Olsen blasted the ball into the net past a helpless Køge goalkeeper.
7-0 FC Helsingør
So the match was thoroughly decided, and there was nothing more to write home about before the referee blew the final whistle after 90 minutes. FC Helsingør could gain a bit of confidence and sharpness in front of goal, and go to the dressing room with the knowledge that now the preparation period is over and on Friday it is time for this year's first competitive match. Brønshøj are visiting Helsingør, and isn't it likely that practically all of the approx. 150 people who turned up today are ready for that match? It starts at 19.00, and the gates open as always one hour earlier.
FCH: K. Stuhr Ellegaard, HC ”Kritte” Bonnesen, A. Holm (61’ E. Just) N. Hansen, J. Henriksen, A. Holst, D. Norouzi (81’ T. ”TK” Kristensen) F. Christensen, L. Haren (73’ R. Olsen), J. Kjær (’42 T. Bergqvist), N. Mortensen (73’ C. Lange)
Photo: FC Helsingør
