Home Win on Saturday Evening!

In their home match against SpVgg Greuther Fürth, Darmstadt pressed for the opening goal from the very first minute. Just five minutes in, Isac Lidberg flicked on a cross from Sergio López with his heel, but Yosuke Furukawa at the far post narrowly missed connecting with the ball. Shortly afterward, López delivered another cross following a one-two with Killian Corredor, and this time Fraser Hornby was on hand to calmly slot home the opening goal for the Lilies with 11 minutes played.

The visitors needed a little over twenty minutes for their first shot on goal, but Marcel Schuhen was alert and tipped Green’s rising effort over the bar after 22 minutes. Four minutes later, the goalkeeper distinguished himself again: Hornby’s attempted clearance was destined to end up in the net, but Schuhen just managed to clear the ball off the line.

The next few minutes were uneventful, but after 36 minutes the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors: Klaus went down in the box under a challenge from Kai Klefisch. Schuhen guessed the right way, but couldn’t stop Futkeu’s well-placed spot kick – 1-1.

After the goal, Darmstadt had a bit more of the game, but without creating any clear-cut chances. In stoppage time, Darmstadt threatened again: after a cross from Klefisch, Hornby got his head to the ball, but it landed in the goalkeeper’s arms, and the score remained 1-1 at halftime.

Seven minutes after the break, Darmstadt were caught cold when Futkeu scored to make it 2-1 for the visitors, his shot going in off the inside of the post. However, Darmstadt weren’t fazed and immediately looked for a quick response. Just two minutes later, Lidberg narrowly missed a chance to score. Four minutes later, the Swede was on hand: After a corner, Hornby brought the ball back into the middle, Lidberg was perfectly positioned and diverted the ball over the line.

Darmstadt then regained the initiative and retook the lead in the 64th minute. Hornby had too much space just outside the penalty area after a through ball from Marco Richter, fired a precise shot to make it 3-2. The Lilies pressed for another goal, and after a lob from Richter, Fabian Nürnberger got a shot away at the far post, but Fürth goalkeeper Schlieck just managed to parry the ball away with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Despite further good chances, it wasn’t until the 79th minute that the fans at the Böllenfalltor stadium could celebrate again: After a corner from Richter, Merveille Papela rose highest and headed home an unstoppable effort to make it 4-2.

In the closing minutes, the visitors tried their luck from distance on several occasions, but the home side held firm and secured a well-deserved three points.