Goals from Ken Reichel, Gerrit Holtmann and Mirko Boland continued Eintracht Braunschweig impressive return to form.

FSV shocked many before the international break by picking up a surprise win against St. Pauli, thanks to Besar Halimi's stunner. While they went against the form book to secure those three points, it was no surprise to see that Tomas Oral named an unchanged starting line-up.

For Braunschweig, they too picked up the surprise result of the weekend. A staggering six-nil win over Karlsruher SC was not expected by anyone but Torsten Lieberknecht still opted to make two changes. Jan Hochscheidt and Nik Omladic came in for Salim Khelifi and Gerrit Holtmann, who were both benched.

Even opening

Crosses provided two early chances for both sides, with Halimi's excellent free-kick almost finding the outstretched boot of captain Manuel Konrad. The visitors responded with an even better opportunity; Hochscheidt's ball in was met well by Emil Breggreen but the striker couldn't direct his powerful header on target.

The Lions were fairly dominant in the first half-hour and Omladic also went closer with a rasping drive from a short corner. Frankfurt, however, were struggling to make any real impact going forward. A Felipe Pires effort was all they had to show for their attacking play but that was easily saved by Rafal Ginkiewicz.

Reichel gives his side a late lead

Wide areas were definitely the route to goal in this game and that was how Braunschweig opened the scoring before the half-time whistle. Berggreen collected Omladic's pass and spun his man before drilling the ball across the six-yard box. It was missed by everyone but Ken Reichel came steaming in at the back post to rifle into an empty net. An almost carbon copy of his two goals against Karlsruhe, his third in two games earned a half-time lead.

Frankfurt could, and should, have been level immediately after the restart. Halimi was key to the move once again and his corner was met by Joan Oumari but the Lebanese international glanced just wide from six yards out; his frustration at not hitting the target was clear for all to see.

Frankfurt unfortunate not to score

Ehsan Haji Safi came on for his debut at half-time, replacing Felipe Pires, and was very nearly celebrating 10 minutes later. He was set through on goal with a pin-point long pass but was prevented from grabbing a goal but Gikiewicz's smart save at his near post. Oumari then went closer still to opening their account, only to see his header tipped onto the bar.

Braunschweig were not at the races early on in the half and a mishit corner was flicked on to Berggreen, two yards from his own goal. What looked to be an easy clearance was anything but and the Dnaish forward sliced the ball onto the bar but, luckily, it bounced clear.

Holtmann the hero late on

The hosts were made to pay for not taking their chances, and young Gerrit Holtmann showed them all how to finish. The substitute burst down the middle, leaving Oumari and Lukas Gugganig for dead before chipping over the advancing André Weis to seal all three points.

Braunschweig were not going to make life easy for themselves and Nik Omladic seen red almost immediately after they went two goals ahead. The winger kicked out at an FSV players after not winning the ball and Timo Gerach was alert and spotted the incident, then he brandished the red card.

That rash decision could have thrown the game up in the air but Braunschweig were in control and a lovely move saw them notch up a third goal. Holtmann turned provider this time and his cross was the final pass of a lovely move which was hammered home by Mirko Boland at the back post.

It was the final action of the game, and the side who took their chances came out on top. Although it was a very tight game, Braunschweig's clinical nature shone through to seal a very impressive win. Despite the score-line, FSV will now they could easily have came away with a share of the spoils.

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About the author
Jonathan Walsh
SoccerSight IFA commentator. VAVEL deputy editor-in-chief/VAVEL Bundesliga editor-in-chief and writer. Email: [email protected]