Worksop Town 4-2 Haarlem
International Club Friendly | July 4, 2026

Worksop Town produced an entertaining performance to overcome Dutch side Haarlem 4-2 in a pre-season friendly that featured end‑to‑end action and plenty of goals. The home side’s attacking intensity proved decisive, although Haarlem showed quality in patches.

Match Overview

The match started at a high tempo, with both teams pressing aggressively. Worksop took the lead early but Haarlem responded quickly. The scoreline swung back and forth before Worksop pulled away in the second half, sealing a comfortable win.

Key Moments

• Quick opener: Worksop’s winger cut inside and curled a shot into the far corner after just 8 minutes.
• Haarlem equalise: A well‑struck free‑kick from 20 yards levelled the scores in the 22nd minute.
• Worksop regain lead: A scrappy goal from a corner put the hosts 2‑1 up before half‑time.
• Haarlem level again: A swift counter‑attack saw the visitors make it 2‑2 early in the second half.
• Worksop’s decisive brace: Two goals in ten minutes (65th and 75th) – a powerful header and a low drive – put the game beyond Haarlem’s reach.

Tactical Story

Worksop set up in a 4‑2‑3‑1, relying on the creativity of their No. 10 to link play. Haarlem matched the shape but were caught out by Worksop’s direct running in transition. The home side’s full‑backs provided width, stretching Haarlem’s defensive line. Haarlem’s midfield struggled to shield the back four, leaving gaps that Worksop exploited ruthlessly.

Standout Players

Worksop’s attacking midfielder was at the heart of everything, registering a goal and an assist. The left‑back also impressed, charging forward to create overloads. For Haarlem, their central forward held the ball up well and was involved in both goals, but lacked support in the final third.

Friendly Context

This fixture was part of Worksop’s pre‑season schedule against international opposition. The victory continues their positive momentum, while Haarlem will take encouragement from their ability to score twice away from home. Both managers used multiple substitutions to test squad depth.