After a tumultuous home win against SpVgg Greuther Fürth, Darmstadt 98 moved up to third place in the Second Bundesliga, at least for one night. The Lilies won 4:2 (1:1) at home in an entertaining match on matchday 13.
The Hessians remain unbeaten in their second division home game against Franconia for the 13th time in a row. Fürth slipped to 15th place as a result of the defeat and have now conceded 34 goals. There was a bittersweet professional debut for visiting goalkeeper Timo Schlieck, who coach Thomas Kleine preferred to Silas Scheckrock.
As in other stadiums this weekend in the Bundesliga and Second League, fans on both sides initially remained silent in protest. But the people of Darmstadt ended their vow of silence. Fraser Hornby put the home team ahead in the eleventh minute.
Then SpVgg Greuther Fürth turned things around thanks to Noel Futkeu: first he equalized before the break with a converted penalty kick (38th), after the break the 22-year-old even made it 2-1 after a substitution (52nd). Trend reversal?
Lidberg and Hornby were hard to stop
The Darmstadt team didn’t let the deficit get them down and were once again able to rely on their renowned attacking duo. After a corner kick, striker Isac Lidberg equalized 2-2 with his tenth goal of the season (58). Hornby with his second goal (63′) and Merveille Papela (78′) again from a corner set the Darmstadt side finally on their way to victory and caused huge celebrations in the stadium at Böllenfalltor.
Lidberg is the top scorer in the second division with twelve points (ten goals and two assists) from twelve appearances so far. Hornby is just behind in third place and has ten points (four goals, six assists) after 13 appearances.
