Gantoise Go Top as Dragons Stay Unbeaten and Léopold Finally Win — Belgian Women’s League Journée 9
Gantoise are top of the Belgian women’s league tonight, and they earned it the hard way.
They went to Braxgata and won 2-1, and that was enough to jump above Dragons into first place. S. Vanden Borre put them ahead from a penalty corner after 13 minutes, M. Carey levelled for Braxgata four minutes later, and Van Hecke settled it in the 57th minute. Gantoise now have 24 points from nine games.
Dragons are still unbeaten, mind. They beat Antwerp 1-0, Granatto scoring the only goal in the 56th minute, and they sit one point behind on 23 with seven wins and two draws. Nobody’s beaten them yet. But Gantoise have won one more game, and right now that’s what counts.
The day’s other big story was at the bottom. Léopold finally won. They beat Victory 4-2 for their first win of the season, and they had to do it the hard way after twice being pegged back. Barry and Famaey put them 2-0 up, Simsdom and McEwan levelled it at 2-2, then Drossos and Vincent finished the job. Four points now, and they’re off the foot of the table in spirit if not yet in position.
Leuven keep quietly going about their business. Lisl Denef scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Beerschot, and Leuven stay third on 20 points. Denef’s been their winner more than once this season.
Racing beat Uccle Sport 3-0, Figueras opening the scoring late before Moras struck twice in the final two minutes. And Waterloo Ducks won 2-0 at Wellington through early goals from Van Herendael and Delhalle, which lifts the Ducks into the top four at Antwerp’s expense. That’s the only change in the top four this week.
Journée 9 results, Sunday 8 November: Dragons 1-0 Antwerp; Léopold 4-2 Victory; Racing 3-0 Uccle Sport; Wellington 0-2 Waterloo Ducks; Braxgata 1-2 Gantoise; Leuven 1-0 Beerschot.
The table after nine rounds: Gantoise 24, Dragons 23, Leuven 20, Waterloo Ducks 14, Antwerp 14, Racing 13, Wellington 10, Braxgata 9, Beerschot 7, Uccle Sport 6, Victory 5, Léopold 4.
For our money, the title race is a two-horse race now and it’s a good one. Gantoise have the wins, Dragons have the unbeaten record. Something has to give when they meet.
