Барендрехт beat ХФК 2:1 in the Tweede Divisie regular season on Saturday, taking all three points despite playing away from home. The visitors had already established control before the interval, and ХФК could only salvage a late consolation goal. Both sides remain mid-table after three games, each with three points from one win and two defeats.
A. Serghini opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, then doubled the lead five minutes later to put Барендрехт ahead. The home side had dominated possession at 54 per cent, but their three shots on target failed to trouble the goalkeeper. Барендрехт's 12 shots on target proved far more productive, and the visitors stretched the back line with their attacking threat.
ХФК pressed hard for an equaliser throughout the second half, earning 11 corners to the visitors' 11 and throwing 31 balls into play. Substitutions came thick and fast: R. Lathouwers, N. Donker, F. Gemmel, J. van der Weijden, R. Ouali, and B. Vugts all saw action at the home end. But Барендрехт kept them in it, weathering the pressure and seeing out the game.
M. Ploem ended ХФК's barren spell in stoppage time, scoring in the 90+2nd minute to reduce the deficit. By then Serghini had already been substituted, replaced by O. Mrowicki in the 75th minute. The away side collected four yellow cards to the hosts' two, with T. Bayram and D. Monster among those cautioned late on.
The statistics tell the story of efficiency over volume. ХФК registered 64 attacks and 13 free kicks, but only converted three shots on target. Барендрехт managed 56 attacks and 20 free kicks, yet their 12 shots on target yielded two goals. The visitors ended a barren spell of their own, while the hosts remain 14th, one place above 15th-placed Барендрехт on goal difference alone.
