De Treffers continued their strong pre-season build-up with a hard-fought 3-2 victory away at Noordwijk on Friday evening, producing an entertaining contest that gave both Dutch sides plenty of encouragement ahead of the new campaign. The match, played at the Sportpark Duinwetering in Noordwijk, saw the visitors from Groesbeek edge a five-goal thriller against a resilient home side that pushed them all the way.

Match overview

With both teams using the fixture as part of their pre-season preparations, the opening exchanges were open and energetic. Noordwijk, known for their disciplined structure and quick transitions, looked to press high from the start. De Treffers, competing in the Tweede Divisie, showed composure in possession and gradually began to carve out clear chances. The visitors took the lead midway through the first half, punishing a lapse in the home defence with a clinical finish. However, Noordwijk responded well, equalising before the break with a well-worked move down the right flank that ended with a composed strike into the far corner.

The second half followed a similar pattern as both managers made multiple substitutions to give squad players valuable minutes. De Treffers regained the lead shortly after the restart, converting from a set-piece situation, only for Noordwijk to hit back again with a powerful effort from outside the box. Just when it seemed the match was heading for a draw, De Treffers struck the decisive blow in the closing stages, finishing off a counter-attack to secure a morale-boosting win.

Key moments

• First-hour opener: De Treffers capitalised on a defensive miscommunication to slot home the opening goal.
• Spirited home response: Noordwijk’s equaliser arrived through a neat combination play that ended with a first-time shot from inside the area.
• Set-piece efficiency: The away side’s second goal came from a corner routine, showing their preparation in dead-ball situations.
• Late winner: A quick breakaway in the final ten minutes sealed the victory for De Treffers.

What it means

For De Treffers, this victory will reinforce their positivity ahead of the new Tweede Divisie season, highlighting their attacking threat and resilience. Noordwijk will take encouragement from their own two goals and the competitive nature of the display, even if defensive concentration remains a work in progress. In what has become a busy summer of friendly fixtures, this was exactly the kind of test both training staffs would have wanted.

The result gives De Treffers a valuable confidence boost as they travel back to Gelderland, while Noordwijk will look to tighten things at the back in their remaining pre-season games.