Almere City delay Heracles period-title celebrations with Volendam win

Almere City kept the Keuken Kampioen Divisie’s first period title undecided by beating FC Volendam 1-0 at home. Victory was the only result that could prevent Heracles Almelo from securing the prize this weekend after the leaders had drawn with Helmond Sport on Friday.

Volendam created several opportunities during the first half but failed to make them count. Almere were more clinical, with Enzo Cornelisse completing an intricate team move for the game’s only goal. The visitors remained in difficulty after the interval, although they escaped a possible penalty when Emanuel Poku appeared to be held inside the area. Almere’s win leaves them chasing Heracles, who can clinch the period title at home to RKC Waalwijk on Friday.

RKC recorded their fifth league draw of the campaign with a 1-1 result against FC Emmen. Jesse van de Haar opened the scoring after around half an hour, but Bryan Van Hove levelled after the break. Emmen remain third, while RKC sit seventh.

Elsewhere, De Graafschap recovered from Rayan Buifrahi’s opener to lead FC Eindhoven through Gabriele Finocchiaro and substitute Kyano Kwint. Siegert Baartmans quickly replied to secure a 2-2 draw for Eindhoven. FC Dordrecht and FC Den Bosch also shared the points, finishing 1-1 after Kévin Monzialo’s late penalty cancelled out Senne Vugts’ first Keuken Kampioen Divisie goal.