Two of the division's in-form sides met on Friday evening and the two sides in the bottom half provided an entertaining game of football as FSV Frankfurt strike lucky to get a draw against Sandhausen.

FSV Frankfurt have been in terrific form since the winter break and their six games since the league action resumed has seen them jump up to 9th in the table. They haven't tasted defeat during that time, winning three and drawing three, the only side more in-form than them are Kaiserslautern, while Darmstadt have the same record.

Sandhausen have also surprised many in the new year, they currently sit in 12th place and they too find themselves in great form. Tonight's away side are currently 4th in the form table after three wins, two draws and last weekend they suffered the first loss of the year.

The first real chance of the game came from a FSV Frankfurt corner, Joni Kauko arrive late into the action and crept in unmarked at the back post, unfortunately for the home side he didn't strike it well at all.

Just after the ten minute mark Sandhausen went close themselves and they would've taken the lead had it not been for Patric KlandtAlexander Bieler was fouled on the edge of the area, however a freekick wasn't given and the ball ran to Manuel Stiefler. His curling effort saw Klandt make a brilliant save to flick the ball over the bar.

Another corner caused Sandhausen problems, once more Kauko had a chance at the back post, this time he had company and his header back across the box struck the hand of a defender, the officials failed to spot it much to the annoyance of Frankfurt.

It was an even match up and Sandhasuen started to grow more and more into the game and looked comfortable with possession. On the 22nd minute they managed to take the lead, Denis Linsmayer lofted the ball into Aziz Bouhaddouz and the former FSV man showed great strength and composure to hold off Hanno Balitsch, before slotting through his legs and in at the near post on the turn.

Sandhausen could've doubled their lead before the half hour mark, Andrew Wooten got enough space to put in a great cross to Bouhaddouz. The goalscorer couldn't get the right contact on the header and it was a disappointing effort, Bieler was lurking behind him unmarked and would've had a chance had the ball been left.

Another chance fell to Sandhausen, Bouhaddouz this time was fed through, sadly he was forced wider than he wanted and chose the wrong option in shooting across goal rather than crossing.

Frankfurt almost had the opportunity to go through on goal, Vincenzo Grifo managed to skip past Tim Kister and the defender took one for the team by pulling the FSV man down. There were calls for a red card, however there were players close enough that they would've got round to cover.

Just before the break Sandhausen carved open another chance, Bouhaddouz dragged three players out wide and a lovely back heel found Linsmayer, who was able to pick out WoOten who was in plenty of space. Wooten teased a defender before falling down and slicing the ball well wide, there was no contact and he simply lost his balance.

Grifo was causing Sandhausen plenty of problems with his pace and he was halted on the edge of the area after a tremendous run where he wriggled past a number of players. No freekick was given and there didn't look like there was much contact.

The second half failed to provide goal action as the game ticked over the hour mark, FSV were lacking ideas in attack and Sandhausen were looking relatively comfortable.

The hosts had a golden chance to level things, Odise Roshi broke free down the right and he produced a great cross across goal, Edmond Kapllani was at the near post and unfortunately failed to direct the ball in from a few yards out.

FSV Frankfurt have been one of the highest scoring teams in the last six games, however they were getting frustrated up against a defence that have conceded just four goals in their last six games. FSV were increasing the pressure and Grifo tried his luck from outside the area, however he couldn't find the target and Manuel Riemann was able to watch it curl wide.

The pressure finally paid off ten minutes from time, once again Grifo was the trouble maker and after coming in from the right he was brought down in the area, well so the referee thought, it was a clear dive from the winger. Kapllani stepped up for his side and his confident strike saw Riemann go the wrong way and the home side were level.

There was late drama as a freekick in injury time saw Alexander Bittroff make a clear push to stop Sandhausen scoring a late winner and rather than blowing for a penalty the referee blew for full time. Sandhausen were rightly so very angry about this. 

FSV Frankfurt strike lucky to get a point and Sandhausen will certainly feel robbed after a dive in the box meant their lead had gone from a spot kick before they were denied one of their own. 

Up next for FSV Frankfurt they travel to league leaders Ingolstadt and Sandhausen face mid-table Union Berlin. 

VAVEL Logo
About the author