One week before the start of the second part of the season, SV Darmstadt 98 won a test match against SSV Jahn Regensburg without any problems with 4:2 (3:1).
In front of 250 spectators at Böllenfalltor, the match was played in four 30-minute periods to give as many players as possible as much match practice as possible.
The hosts initially took the initiative in a game that was lively for long stretches and had the first two opportunities through Phillip Tietz (3rd and 10th minute). In the 14th minute, Jahn had the first chance through Erik Wekesser from a free kick. But almost in return, the very eye-catching Tim Skarke gave the home side the lead after a beautiful combination via Luca Pfeiffer and the equally strong Marvin Mehlem.
Regensburg equalised four minutes later through Steve Breitkreuz, who headed in a corner from Sarpreet Singh. Shortly before the end of the first quarter, Klaus Gjasula put the Lilien back in front when he pushed the ball over the line from close range. It was the Albanian international’s first goal in a Lilien shirt.
The home side also had more of the game in the second quarter. Tietz converted a Tobias Kempe free-kick to make it 3:1, while Regensburg hardly managed a dangerous goal against a very secure Darmstadt defence. In the 54th minute, after a nice combination of the Regensburg players and a finish by Andreas Albers, the ball was in the net, but the referee ruled it offside.
First Goller misses, then he dusts off
At half-time, both coaches made almost complete changes. Erich Berko, in particular, revitalised SV Darmstadt 98: First, he laid on Benjamin Goller after a strong individual performance, who just missed the ball. A little later, he failed to hit the Regensburg keeper Thorsten Kirschbaum with a shot, but Goller dusted off the rebound to make it 4:1. Against a dominant Lilien team, David Otto scored the equaliser out of nowhere after a beautifully played counter-attack and a coordination error in the Darmstadt defence.
Debut for winter newcomer Leipold
Winter newcomer Andre Leipold (from Regionalligist SV Wacker Burghausen) made his debut in the Lilien jersey in the final quarter. The 20-year-old attacker almost scored his first goal, but he failed to beat the Regensburg keeper (112th minute). However, the last quarter remained without a goal and was the weakest part of the game. In the end, it remained a deserved 4:2 for the Lilies.
Darmstadt welcomes Karlsruher SC in the first league home match of the year next Saturday (20.30). Regensburg have to go to SV Sandhausen (13.30) one day later.
