Strätzi Wins first start as Coach
"Strätzi" Wins first start as Coach
-- Image: Ralph Thomann (1.FC Sand, #14) was floating in the clouds after scoring the 1:0 with a headball from a crossed free kick. --
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Starting 11: FC Sand- GK Geier, Moser , Karmann , T.Schlereth, Schebak, Steinmann, Rugovaj, Gonnert, Thomann, Bechmann, Albert
Reserves: Witchen, Rippstein, Lörzer, Zeiß, Durst, Wagner (Injured)
Trainer: Matthias Strätz
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With the restricted amount of 200 visitors and a very tense feeling throughout the Sander Seestadion, #15 1.FC Sand took the pitch to take on #8 ATSV Erlangen. The match began with a very fast play with offensive positioning of the entire Sander line-up which created a lot of failed chances on goal. ATSV Erlangen also showed a lot of good tactics and wer better suited when the ball possession changed, allowing them to have a few quick counterattacks early in the match with proved to be dangerous territory for Sand.
On one counter started by a long through-pass up the middle, Joe Bechmann (1.FC Sand, #2) was forced to use a risky move to jockey the last man in order to jockey him off of his route, therefore ruining the ATSV scoring chances. ATSV was livid and demanded an explanation from the referee as to why the play was not stopped, nor a card given to Bechmann. The referee clammily explained the new rule to ATSV trainer staff that "if the tackle of the last man still allows the attack to continue on with the ball to the goal, play will continue and no card will be issued". This shows that a life of Fußball and the recent Referees course has really paid off for Joe Bechmann and the 1.FC Sand.
Going in the lock room at halftime with a 0:0 scoreline was not a pleasant feeling for the Sander after having many scoring opportunities, but surely after the start of the 2nd half that all would change. In the 55 minute, Ralph Thomann (1.FC Sand, #14) would strike gold with a header into the net from a set piece from Steinmann. The Sander celebrated the goal, but realised that there was still a lot of game to be played. The tense feeling was almost unbearable in the final minutes of the game while waiting for the referee to blow the final whistle. With a few long balls played forward, in a last-ditch effort from Erlangen, the whistle was blown and Trainer Matthias Strätz was able to pick up his first Bayernliga Nord win on his first attempt and a much-need win to "Re-Start" the 2nd half of the season after the long coronavirus break.
The biggest highlight of the match was clearly Ralph Thomann becuase he shot the goal to secure the win, but the MOTM, for me, was Kevin Moser (1.FC Sand, #13). Moser played 90' of fußball with pure heart and is only getting better under the current layout of the team. 1.FC Sand are set to have their next match in the Bayerischer Toto Pokal at Würzburger FV on 26.09.2020, but with coronavirus restrictions and the amount of infections in the area, it is possible to have a cancelation of the match or perhaps a change of the home right for the match to be played in Sand.
📷:: For Images from the game click the link below: 👇
1.FC Sand am Main vs ATSV Erlangen (Bayernliga Nord)
