LSK made several changes to their starting XI compared to the sensational victory over Zulte Waregem. Jhon Banguera replaced the absent Danny McGrath, while Jesper Tolinsson was set to start but had to withdraw during the warm-up. He was replaced last-minute by Alvaro Santos.

The first chance of the derby came quickly. The visitors had an opportunity to strike from the edge of the penalty area, but last weekend’s hero, Matthias Pieklak, comfortably collected the ball.

The first signs of a Derby also arrived early. Around the 12th minute, Vancy Mabanza fouled Matthias Pieklak, sending the LSK goalkeeper to the ground. The Patro striker then slotted the ball into the empty net, but referee Arthur Denil had already blown the wistle for a free kick. This led to a brief scuffle, with Mabanza receiving a formal warning.

After the opening quarter-hour, the game tightened up. Lommel SK pushed forward in attack, while Patro looked to capitalise on quick counter-attacks. However, it was Patro’s tactics that provided Groen-Wit with their first real chance. Mohamed Salah broke free and delivered a cross into the box. Following a scramble, Nicolas Siri unleashed a shot, but it was crucially blocked at the last moment.

As two minutes of added time were announced, Patro had another opportunity. A cross found Mabanza’s head, but once again, Matthias Pieklak was unfazed, calmly collecting the ball. Just before half-time, the first yellow card of the match was issued—not to a player, but to assistant coach Kristof Van Hout. This was the last notable moment before the teams headed into the break, alongside the 1,792 spectators in attendance.

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Early Setback
The second half began with unchanged line-ups, but also with an early booking. Within a minute, Leon Lalic was cautioned. Less than a minute later, the deadlock was broken. Alvaro Santos lost possession in a dangerous area, allowing Patro to capitalise. Lukas Van Eenoo fired a shot from the edge of the box past a helpless Pieklak.

About ten minutes later, Patro almost doubled their lead. Once again, Van Eenoo had a go from the edge of the area, but this time, his effort flashed just wide. Moments later, the visitors had an even bigger chance. Yvann Titi lost possession, and Patro countered rapidly. Pieklak initially saved Adnane Abid’s effort, but the ball rebounded to Patro’s number 48. This time, Dries Wouters was on the goal line to heroically block the shot with his head.

Sensing the need for change, Lee Johnson made his first substitution after an hour. Alvaro Santos made way for Igor Vetokele, marking the Lommelse forward’s first appearance since the home fixture against KAS Eupen on 19 October. His introduction immediately injected life into the side, as Nicolas Siri had a promising chance to equalise. The Uruguayan curled his shot towards the far post, but it went just the wrong side of it.

With around twenty minutes left to play, Johnson made a second change. Josias Lama replaced Kluiverth Aguilar. Shortly after, a Patro staff member was shown a straight red card. The visitors’ bench protested that Leon Lalic should have received a second yellow card, expressing their frustrations both verbally and with gestures. Denil was unimpressed and promptly dismissed Patro’s goalkeeping coach.

With five minutes of normal time remaining, LSK made their final roll of the dice. Jhon Banguera, exhausted, was replaced by Stijn Wuytens. John Edwin Montaño also entered the fray, taking over from Nicolas Siri. Even with five additional minutes of stoppage time, LSK could not find the equaliser. As a result, Groen-Wit once again fell short in the Limburg Derby against Patro. Delen op