De Graafschap made no mistake on Monday evening in the battle for the top places in the Kitchen Champion Division. The Super Farmers had a tough job at Helmond Sport, but ended up with a 1-2 victory due to a late hit by Johnatan Opoku. The Achterhoekers hold the fourth place, but in points they are on the same level with number three SC Cambuur. Front runners NAC Breda and Almere City FC both have two points more.

De Graafschap could not have wished for a better start to the game, as it took the lead after three minutes of play thanks to Toine van Huizen. However, Helmond was not particularly impressed by this early setback and immediately went in search of the equalizer in the phase after the opening goal.

Nine minutes after Van Huizen’s goal, the home team already came alongside via Lance Duijvestijn and in the remainder of the first half there were opportunities back and forth. Elmo Lieftink failed to hit from a promising position and on the other side there was also an opportunity for Duijvestijn to make his second goal of the evening. However, the midfielder now had less luck, so there was a 1-1 score.

In the second half, there were again opportunities for both parties, with Daryl van Mieghem being allowed to lash out a few times and Arno Van Keilegom and Van Huizen both hit the post. Because they could not find the net, it seemed for a long time that the two teams would keep each other in balance. Eleven minutes before time, Opoku managed to break the spell with a ticker, allowing De Graafschap to take the three points home.

Voetbalzone is the official media partner of the Kitchen Champion Division

Click here for exclusive interviews, talent scouts, current positions and the program on our Kitchen Champion Division page.