Lilies Draw in Opening Game of the Second Half of the Season

Darmstadt started their away match against VfL Bochum with a lot of attacking intent and registered their first dangerous shot after just 28 seconds: A cross slipped through to Luca Marseiler, the midfielder curled the ball towards the far corner, but the deflected shot flew over the bar.

After seven minutes, the visitors, playing in orange, had reason to celebrate: Marco Richter chipped the ball into the path of Fraser Hornby, the Scotsman volleyed it home from inside the penalty area to give Darmstadt a 1-0 lead after 7 minutes. However, the lead didn’t last long. After eleven minutes, Alfa-Ruprecht ran clear on goal and was initially denied by the goalkeeper’s foot, but Onyeka slotted home the rebound to equalise at 1-1.

The 98ers remained the more dangerous team, and once again it was Marseiler who had a chance to score: Another cross slipped through to him, another cut inside, but this time his shot was saved by Horn in the hosts‘ goal with 25 minutes played. Despite the visitors‘ dominance, Bochum suddenly took the lead, 2 minutes later: An inaccurate back pass landed at Hofmann’s feet, and he chipped the ball over Schuhen to make it 2-1.

The South Hessians weren’t fazed by the deficit, however, and just a few minutes later had their first good opportunity to equalise: After a corner, the ball found its way to Richter again, and Horn just managed to tip his curling shot over the bar. Three minutes later, top scorer Isac Lidberg was on hand to powerfully volley a cross from Sergio López into the top corner from close range.

The South Hessians weren’t fazed by the deficit and had their first good chance to equalise just a few minutes later: After a corner, the ball fell to Richter again, and Horn just managed to tip it over the bar (33′). Darmstadt came close to regaining the lead in stoppage time, but Patric Pfeiffer’s header was cleared just before the line. The teams went into halftime with the score tied 2-2.

After the break, Bochum started the second half stronger and enjoyed more possession. Eight minutes after the restart, Hofmann headed a corner kick, but Schuhen was alert and made the save.

In the midst of Bochum’s period of sustained pressure, Darmstadt regained the lead: Patric Pfeiffer played a long ball into the path of Marseiler, whose initial shot was saved by Horn. However, Marseiler followed up, his shot struck Morgalla, forcing an own goal on 68 minutes.

In the closing stages, the home side increased the pressure and, with a bit of luck, equalised in the 82nd minute: A deflected shot landed right at Marshall’s feet, and he headed it in from close range. Three minutes later, Darmstadt were fortunate when Passlack’s shot struck the post. In stoppage time, substitute Aleksandar Vukotic had the winning goal on his head, but the ball flew over the crossbar and so an entertaining match ended 3-3.