Defeat in Paderborn

In the first away game, Darmstadt got off to a dream start in Paderborn. Although the hosts had the first chance through Kostons who passed it wide on 4 minutes, the South Hesse team took the lead three minutes later: Kai Klefisch played perfectly into the path of Oscar Vilhelmsson, the Swede remained ice-cold and flashed it into the bottom corner in the 7th minute.

In the following minutes, the 98ers had the game under control for long periods and hardly allowed the hosts‘ to develop their attacks. On 30 minutes, Darmstadt had the next chance as Lakenmacher slid the ball across goal but Vilhelmsson was denied by a defender. Two minutes later, Paderborn showed why they were dangerous but Paul Will was there and blocked Kostons‘ shot behind for a corner. From the corner, Marcel Schuhen need to tip a header from Filip Bilbija onto the bar.

The game was more evenly balanced, five minutes before the half-time whistle it became really dangerous after a back pass that was too short, but Schuhen was wide awake and cleared it at the last second. The chances increased before the interval and Lakenmacher lacked power on his shot which was comfortable for the goalkeeper to save. The SVD then had to survive two more dangerous situations before heading into the dressing room with the narrow lead.

Paderborn started the second half dangerously but Klaas put a header past the post from a promising position on 47 minutes. However, he made up for his miss 6 minutes later as he fired a low shot beyond Schuhen and into the far corner. The Lilies responded almost immediately, after a cross from Bader, Lakenmacher met the cross with his head but was denied by a fine save. On the hour mark, Marseiler narrowly missed the goal after Vilhelmsson’s assist.

The hosts rode their luck and then went ahead: Bilbija scored for the home team in the 64th minute as he strode onto the ball and swept it home. After falling behind, the South Hesse team found their way back into the game better and in the 70th minute Fabian Nürnberger tried to turn, but his effort ended up in the arms of Boevink. Eight minutes later, substitute Fraser Hornby also narrowly missed the equaliser as he saw his strike deflect onto the base of the post.

Despite pushing for the equaliser which would have been deserved; the hosts extended their lead with Ansah who found the bottom corner to make it 3-1 (83′).