Harkemase Boys produced one of their most complete home performances of the Netherlands Derde Divisie season, beating Excelsior 31 4-0 on 24 October 2026 in a match they controlled from the opening quarter.

Match overview

Harkemase Boys were sharper, quicker to the ball and far more ruthless in front of goal at Sportpark De Bosk. Excelsior 31 struggled to cope with the home side's pressing and movement, and once the first goal arrived the contest settled into a clear pattern. Harkemase Boys added a second before half-time, managed the game well after the break and then punished their visitors with two more goals in the closing stages.

The 4-0 result is a strong statement in the Netherlands Derde Divisie and gives Harkemase Boys a valuable boost to their goal difference as well as three points.

Key moments

• 12th minute: Jelle van der Meer opened the scoring with a low finish after a quick turnover in midfield.
• 39th minute: Sander Postma doubled the lead, arriving late in the box to convert a cross from the right.
• 58th minute: Excelsior 31 forced a rare save from the Harkemase goalkeeper, but the home side soon regained control.
• 71st minute: Ruben de Vries made it 3-0 with a composed finish after being played through one-on-one.
• 86th minute: Tim Bakker completed the scoring with a header from a corner.

Tactical story

Harkemase Boys set the tone with a high press that denied Excelsior 31 time on the ball. The home midfield won most of the second balls, and the wide players kept stretching the visiting back line. Once Harkemase took the lead, they did not sit back; instead, they kept pushing for a second and were rewarded before half-time.

Excelsior 31 tried to play out from the back, but too often found themselves isolated in possession. The away side improved briefly after the interval, yet Harkemase's structure remained intact. The home team's set-piece threat was also a factor, with the fourth goal coming from a corner. It was a controlled, mature performance from the hosts.

Standout players

Jelle van der Meer was the attacking catalyst, scoring the opener and constantly finding space between the lines. Sander Postma's movement created problems all afternoon, while Ruben de Vries showed composure for the third goal. At the back, the Harkemase centre-backs dealt comfortably with Excelsior 31's long balls and kept the game in front of them.

For Excelsior 31, the goalkeeper made several saves to prevent an even heavier defeat, but the visitors will be disappointed with how easily they conceded possession in midfield.

Season impact

The three points lift Harkemase Boys in the Netherlands Derde Divisie standings and give them a significant goal-difference advantage from a single afternoon. A 4-0 home win can be worth more than just the result; it builds confidence and sends a message to the rest of the division. Excelsior 31, meanwhile, will need a quick response in their next fixture to avoid a difficult run.