After the good performances of the past many matches, FC Helsingør, strengthened by new additions, were today at home at Helsingør Stadion to face newly promoted Næstved BK, who also came to the match full of confidence.
Before the match, Næstved BK were two places and two points behind FC Helsingør and, in fact, like FC Helsingør, had not lost in their previous five matches.
The last three times the teams had met in 1. division, the match had ended 1-1, and so once again a tight affair between the light blue and the green team was in store.
The slightly cooler autumn weather did not deter the many FC Helsingør fans, who, as usual, had turned out in large numbers to support the city’s team, and FC Helsingør lined up from the start with the same players as in the previous two matches.
The match got underway a little cautiously, but FC Helsingør quickly took control. Already in the first couple of minutes they had come close to the Næstved BK area a few times, and after nine minutes of play their dominance was already to bear fruit. For Callum McCowatt got the ball a little outside the box on the left side and dribbled past a couple of men toward the right. It then took little thought for the New Zealander, who curled the ball into the far corner. The match’s first shot and 1-0 to FC Helsingør. It really doesn’t have to be any harder than that.
Shortly after, Oliver Drost had the chance to get on the scoresheet for the first time this season, after the striker had beautifully carried the ball past two defenders and into the box. He struck the ball with his instep, but unfortunately it went over the goal.
In the first 15 minutes, it seemed as if Næstved BK were shaken by the course of the match. At any rate, they kept giving the ball away, and that gave FC Helsingør chances.
One of them fell to Callum McCowatt, who received the ball outside the box, and he shoots whenever he gets the chance. The ball flew beautifully toward goal, but the Næstved BK goalkeeper must also be praised for his save.
This was followed by a long spell without big chances, but FC Helsingør were still the better side on the ball. And after 28 minutes it should probably have been 2-0. In one of his classic overlaps, Nicklas Mouritsen whipped in a low cross toward the far post. There Oliver Drost came almost flying and threw himself at the ball. Unfortunately, it hit the post and went out.
And then, out of the blue, the away team suddenly entered the match. After 31 minutes, Næstved BK’s Mileta Rajovic was sent through on goal and at the same time Frederik Helstrup slipped in front of the box. And then Sayouba Mandé had trouble doing anything about the hot striker’s shot, which went in to make it 1-1.
Næstved BK then had several good chances, and once again Mileta Rajovic took matters into his own hands five minutes later. After a shot feint with his right, he struck firmly with his left and the ball blasted into the top corner beyond the helpless Sayouba Mandé to make it 1-2. A few minutes later Næstved were close to scoring again, but this time the FC Helsingør goalkeeper was equal to the shot.
The last minutes of the first half once again saw FC Helsingør in better control of the match, without however creating any really big chances. The teams therefore went into the break with the score at 1-2.
At the start of the second half, FC Helsingør were again in charge of most things, though without it leading to anything particularly dangerous in front of goal.
That was until Næstved decided to play around again. After 58 minutes they came close to a big chance, but the shot was blocked and went out for a corner.
After 63 minutes of play, everyone for a brief moment thought FC Helsingør had equalized. The ball was sent toward the six-yard box from a corner kick, but unfortunately Oliver Drost was offside when the outermost part of his hair flicked the ball onward into the goal from close range. Still 1-2 to Næstved BK.
FC Helsingør gained more and more momentum, and after 67 minutes Nicklas Mouritsen again sent a pass into the box, which Jesper Christiansen redirected to Oliver Kjærgaard. He, however, had to see his effort saved by the Næstved BK goalkeeper.
Ten minutes later it was about to go completely wrong for FC Helsingør, when Sayouba Mandé did not get a proper hold on the ball after a Næstved BK corner kick. This led to quite a bit of confusion in the box, but fortunately FC Helsingør managed to get the situation under control. A few minutes later it was the home side’s turn to try from distance, but Mikkel Knudsen’s shot sailed past the post.
After that it was FC Helsingør’s turn to come close to goal. After fine combinations in the box, Oliver Kjærgaard sent in a cross that almost ended up as a shot on goal. The Næstved BK goalkeeper, however, got a hand to the effort. The biggest highlight for the FC Helsingør fans after that was seeing Kasper Enghardt back on the pitch.
Shortly after, Næstved BK then had the chance to kill the game on a counterattack. But the FC Helsingør goalkeeper thought otherwise and made a fine save to keep the ball out.
The home team then tried to press for the 2-2 goal, but the big chance never came. The match ends 1-2 and Næsted BK thus take all three points after six effective minutes in the first half.
With the result of the match, Næstved BK temporarily take FC Helsingør’s fourth place. FC Helsingør are currently number five in 1. Division, but could be overtaken if Vendsyssel beat Sønderjyske on Monday.
