Firstly, I can not believe how this game was not abandoned at half time, the foggy conditions made it impossible to see one end of the pitch to the other, but I suppose at least it kept you guessing what was going on half the time. This is also the reason the re[port is shorter than usual as didn’t see half the match due to the conditions.

This was a tough game on paper and so it proved as the home team found the Utrecht defence a brave solid wall to get passed, despite of ADO’s possession and attacking verve. ADO had more attacking options with both Ammi and Vicento working hard down the wings, but as in previous games, there was no real support in the middle to put the opposition goal under siege.

FC Utrecht took the lead in the tenth minute, from a corner on the right the ball managed to evade the entire ADO defence before reaching Daan Bovenberg who had the easy task of putting the ball into the back of the net, 0-1.

ADO improved their tempo and began to put the visitors under some real pressure and on the half hour ADO got their equalizer. Kum played a slide rule pass into Vicento who took on the Utrecht keeper Rob van Dijk and beat him in a one on one duel, the ball slotted home with precision, 1-1.

Vicento scores ADO's first

In the second half the fog gradually got worse making it impossible to view events at the opposite end of the pitch. This seemed to trouble the Utrecht backline more than anybody else. ADO fired in several very hard hit shots and only brave defending saved Utrecht from going a couple of goals down.

Immers evades a tackle

In the sixtieth minute some erratic and desperate defending by Utrecht saw the ball drop out to Lex Immers who was about 24m from goal, without looking up or hesitation, Immers struck the sweetest volley ever, right-footed and the ball almost burst through the netting, a truly fantastic strike of the ball and the stadium erupted, 2-1.

ADO looked to be cruising to a well deserved three points when Kum used his arms in an attempt to block the ball in the penalty area leaving the referee with no choice but to award a penalty kick. Eighty minutes played and Leon de Kogel converted the spot kick, narrowly beating Coutinho’s dive to his right, 2-2.

ADO commanded the last ten minutes of the game but could not make the breakthrough they needed. At the final whistle both players and fans looked dejected, it had been a great show by the ADO players, they did deserve all three points but sadly had to settle for the one.

Almost straight from the kick-off, John Verhoek was chasing down the ball towards the keeper. Verhoek kept his nerve and got to the ball first, just tipping it over Dijk, the stadium held its breath as the ball bounced agonizingly wide up the upright.

J. Verhoek in bravely against the Utrecht keeper

ADO man of the match: Charlton Vicento: His raiding runs down the left kept the Utrecht defence busy and got himself a goal, a great response to a lot of disgusting racial chanting aimed at him by visiting supporters.

Attendance: 11, 350

Next home games are on Saturday, 3 December against NAC Breda. Kick-off time is 19:45 and then six days later against Heracles Almelo on Friday, 9 December, kick-off time is at 20:00. The club are offering a special deal if you buy your ticket from the stadium for the NAC game, you can purchase a ticket for the Heracles game for only €5! The ticket office is open an extra day; Monday, allowing you time to take advantage of this offer, and as per normal on Tuesday 13:00 - 18:00, Wednesday & Thursday 12:00 - 18:00 and on Friday between 12:00 - 20:00. Clubcards are not required for these games.

Text & Photos by Neal McClimon

www.itpphotography.com www.adoforexpats.com

neal@thehagueonline.com

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