FC Helsingør played a really good match against the fellow relegation battlers from Silkeborg, but the Midtjyllanders put in a strong defensive performance, and FCH therefore had to settle for 1-1 thanks to a superb goal by Matheus in the second half.
The first quarter-hour featured the home side having the upper hand, and Silkeborg were mainly looking to counter. There was a lot of battling in midfield, and no clear chances. FC Helsingør came closest when Anders Holst played a cheeky ball in behind into Silkeborg’s box, but Douglas had not expected it to be played there, and Peter Friis in the Silkeborg goal could collect the ball.
After 21 minutes Douglas won a long ball from Mikkel Bruhn, and laid it back to Jonas Henriksen. The right-back played the ball across just outside the box, and TK let the ball run on to Bay, who had come on the left wing. He delivered a mix of a shot and a cross into the box, but Matheus unfortunately could not reach the ball, which went over the byline. Fine build-up by FCH.
After 28 minutes Mikkel Bruhn floated a dropping ball up to Jonas Henriksen, who headed it across. The ball was cleared out of the box, but dropped down to Anders Holst, who struck first time. Peter Friis was down, but a Silkeborg player got a saving foot to it and saved his goalkeeper. A big chance for FCH.
The midfield was where most of the battle took place in the first half, and we therefore had to get all the way to the 40th minute before Silkeborg could register a shot on goal. It was Ronnie Schwartz who got the ball on the left side of the pitch just outside the FCH box, and hammered a good shot toward goal. Mikkel Bruhn had to come out and punch it away to save the ball, which luckily for FC Helsingør was placed a little too close to the goalkeeper. Three minutes later it was Magnus Mattson’s turn to test the FCH keeper, as he sent a quality shot on goal, which Bruhn had to go all the way down to the post to save. Strong action from FCH’s goalkeeper
But just before the break, the home side could not hold out any longer. A ball fell somewhat luckily to Svenn Crone, who hammered it hard. Mikkel Bruhn was again close to having it, but this time the ball had so much pace that he could not stop it, and it flew under the goalkeeper and into the net. A cold shower for FCH after a half in which they had controlled almost all of the play.
0-1 Silkeborg IF
After four minutes of the second half, FCH had a big double chance after a free kick. Frederik Bay played the ball into the box, where it was very close for Gregor to head it in. Instead it was cleared out into the box, where Jonas Henriksen shot, but the attempt was blocked again.
Shortly after, it was close again when a corner kick danced around among friends and foes in the Silkeborg box. The ball was cleared out of the box, and it looked like a penalty that was not given, as Pascal Gregor had his shirt pulled in the box. But the whistle stayed silent, and then SIF’s Jeppe Okkels could start a counterattack the full length of the pitch, and finish. Fortunately Bruhn was alert, and got an arm to the shot.
After just over an hour Silkeborg won a ball at midfield, and Jeppe Okkels set off running toward the byline. In front of goal Magnus Mattson was standing there, but Mikkel Bruhn was alert and saved again. FC Helsingør had a lot of possession, but it was Silkeborg who looked the more dangerous side.
FCH put heavy pressure on in midfield toward the final ten minutes, and tried by all means to break down a tough Silkeborg defense, but the visitors from the lake district stood firm, and on the few occasions that there was a gap through, Peter Friis stood in the way in goal.
But after 78 minutes came the breakthrough. Substitute Daniel Jørgensen laid the ball off for Matheus on the left side of the pitch just outside SIF’s box, and the Brazilian smashed the ball unstoppably into the far corner. A class goal from the dribbler, who had played himself into form in the second half, after not quite being able to find his feet in the first.
1-1 FC Helsingør
Then it was time to strike while the iron was hot, and FCH tried again and again to break down Silkeborg’s defense, but it was completely shut down at the back. Thus time ran out, and FC Helsingør once again had to settle for a single point in a match they had dominated for long stretches.
FCH: Bruhn, Bay (64 Jørgensen), Gregor, Holm, Henriksen, Basse, “TK” Köhler, Lange, Holst (76 Holst), Matheus, Douglas (90 Willumsen)
Referee: Jakob Sundberg
Photo: Claus Birch, clausbirch.dk
