Essevee takes a hammer blow while searching for a ticket to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

The regular season has already been a painful affair for Zulte Waregem fans, and tonight they received a lifeline in the jump games. Against Lommel, Vossen and his teammates appeared to be on their way to victory for a long time, until they were dealt a heavy blow.

Tonight, two attractive teams faced each other in the promotion play-offs with Zolte Waregem and Lommel. Essevee was a strong pre-season title contender, but fell short to such an extent that they only reached that playoff spot on the final day of play. It was also a poor end for Lommel, as the Limburgers were aiming for second place, but in the end it went to Dender. Deinze was likely to wait in the final, which he won no less than 0-4 against Patro this afternoon.

ft | KMSK Deinze has a great option in the final match for promotion! 👊#patdi pic.twitter.com/5ZLf7mSPjZ

– Eleven Belgium (Netherlands) (@ElevenBeNL) April 27, 2024

Disallowed goal kills Essevee

It was the home team who came out in front with an early chance for N'Dour, his shot flying down the middle towards De Bussier. Lommel then took charge and created chances for Rosa and Fanxa, with De Wolf also being alert in goal.

In the end, it looked like Essevee would happily take the lead just before half-time after a header from Machado. However, the VAR system (in place in these matches) intervened and correctly saw that the ball flew into the goal through the hand of his teammate N'Dour. Halfway through it was still 0-0.

0-0 (first half) | Essevee's opening goal was disallowed for hand play after VAR intervention#Zwalom pic.twitter.com/p6ihkaIGm9

– SV Zolte Wargem (@esseveeofficial) April 27, 2024

Vossen hits, sledgehammer at the end

After the break, both teams were looking to reward at least one goal before the second leg. Essevee also pressed more than most and was unlucky as Nnadi's effort did not hit the goal via De Busser and the post. Midway through the second half, the home team got some help from the visitors when Grannell committed a handball and a penalty kick was awarded. Geely Vossen provided salvation from eleven metres: 1-0.

65' |1-0| Zolte gets a penalty kick and Vossen puts it 1-0 on the scoreboard. #Zwalom

– Lommel SK (@LommelSKOff) April 27, 2024

Zolty seemed to have a slight lead in the second leg, until Derman left the home fans at the end with a brilliant shot into the far corner: 1-1. In the remaining minutes, Vossen missed another great opportunity, and the score remained a draw. Everything can still be played in this encounter, although Lommel certainly has a slight mental advantage.

DERMANEE Bring me the new Limburg Derby #Zwalom

– Alexander Ooms (@OomsAlexander) April 27, 2024

ft | It's still exciting in the promotional playoffs! 😳 #Zwalom pic.twitter.com/e76j3UTaGK

– Eleven Belgium (Netherlands) (@ElevenBeNL) April 27, 2024

Result progress:

1-0 (66') Vossen (A), 1-1 (89') Derman