Lee Johnson made one change to his starting eleven compared to last week. In Lokeren, Jhon Banguera started in the centre, but in the home game against Jong Genk, Stijn Wuytens was allowed to play from the start for the first time this season. For the central defender, who rolled from injury to injury, was thus back in LSK's starting line-up for the first time since February 2024.

Lommel SK started the match energetically against the last team. Within 8 minutes, the goal was scored. A good cross was laid down by captain Lucas Schoofs. Jason van Duiven picked up the ball and didn't hesitate. The Dutchman shot neatly with the inside of his foot and immediately kicked LSK into a 1-0 lead!

Jong Genk also had a chance in the opening phase. Luca Oyen played himself free and took a shot, but his shot went wide of Matthias Pieklak's goal. Shortly after this first pinprick from the visitors, LSK could have immediately lifted the lead to 2-0. A good play by Yvann Titi was followed by an excellent cross. Nicolás Siri was in the right place, but the Uruguayan kicked over the ball.

After the very entertaining opening, the first half slowly but surely died down a bit. The game started to take place more and more in midfield, with Jong Genk looking for the attack more emphatically. However, the last ball was always not up to par for the visitors, so LSK stayed up quite easily.

Due to the many possessions of the visitors, the Groen-Wit was able to become dangerous with quick attacks. Such a switch gave Siri the opportunity to make it 2-0. The Uruguayan was well put away and was able to take a shot from the edge of the penalty kick area. However, he was slightly unbalanced, so his shot went high. It turned out to be the last moment of the first half, allowing Lommel SK to go to tea with a 1-0 lead. 

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The hour mark
Lommel SK started the second half with two substitutions. Leon Lalic was taken care of just before halftime, but finished the first half. The Croatian remained in the dressing room at halftime and was replaced by Ibrahima Kebe. Nicolás Siri did not return either. His place was filled by Alvaro Santos.

The picture of the game did not really change in the second half. Lommel continued to sit back a bit, supported by the lead, and Jong Genk looked for a chance. That chance came, but in Lommel's favor. On the hour of play, Mohamed Salah gave  a perfect free kick, which landed at the feet of captain Schoofs. Schoofs didn't hesitate for a moment and with a nice dropkick he slid the leather behind the chanceless goalkeeper! 2-0 for Groen-Wit!

Shortly after the goal, Lee Johnson's team got another boost. Substitute Alvaro Santos broke free from his opponent and was knocked to the ground by Brad Manguelle. The number 22 of Jong Genk already had a yellow card from the first half and promptly received his second from referee Hannes De Couvreur. With 11 against 10, LSK immediately had a chance to make it 3-0, as the awarded free kick was curled onto the post by Salah.

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Searching for the third
The living phase on the hour almost resulted in the third Lommel goal again. Yvann Titi came loose and shot at the goal from a surprising angle. His shot was touched, causing it to go just wide. Shortly after this opportunity, Lee Johnson brought in a new replacement. Stijn Wuytens was relieved by Jhon Banguera.

The fourth substitution of Lommel SK was also applied in this phase. John Edwin Montaño came on the field and replaced Mohamed Salah. In the meantime, Jong Genk had also made several substitutions, which temporarily interrupted the game. The messy phase ended with a huge opportunity for LSK. Alvaro Santos was set free in front of the goalkeeper fellow substitute Montaño, but the Spaniard pinned the ball over.

Montaño himself also had a great opportunity to score. The Colombian winter acquisition was released by a quick rush, outplayed two opponents, but then found goalkeeper Brughmans in his path. With about ten minutes to play, it was again the triangle of Van Duiven, Montaño, Santos who came close to the deserved third goal. An excellent through ball from Montaño was followed by a good cross from Van Duiven. Santos was allowed to head it in, but the Spaniard hit the ball wrong. Montaño's rebound also failed to hit the target.

With about eight minutes to go, Lee Johnson brought in his last substitution. Joey Pelupessy went to the side and was relieved by Faniel Tewelde. Immediately after the changeover, it was again Alvaro Santos who had the third on his shot. Again the Spaniard received the ball from Montaño, but again Santos curled the ball over the goal. It turned out to be a recurring story, because even in the last minutes of this Limburg Derby, LSK did not manage to get the 3-0 on the board. Nevertheless, the victory was no longer in danger and Lommel SK can now officially prepare for a new season in the Challenger Pro League. The gap to last placed Jong Genk is now too big to be in danger. Delen op