A stellar showing from Greuther Fürth saw them triumph 3-0 over a sorry SC Paderborn side.

Entertaining first half sees Fürth go ahead

An opening 20 minutes full of good intention but little chances would have been a good way to sum up the early period of play in Bavaria. Kevin Stöger and Jurgen Gjasula were doing their utmost to unlock the opposing defence, though it took a powerful effort from distance to spark the game into life. A hopeful effort from Robert Zulj brought the very best out of Lukas Kruse, who sprawled quickly to his left to make the save.

That was a taster of what was to follow, with the Shamrocks opening their account in style. A lovely passing move culminated in Domi Kumbela pulling away from the box and playing a fantastic slide-rule pass into the feet of Sebastian Freis, who had the positional sense to take up the former's striking role. Freis called upon all his experience to stay cool in front of goal, as he calmly rounded the helpless Kruse and slotted into the empty net.

While the Paderborn 'keeper couldn't prevent him from making the breakthrough, it took a tremendous stop to keep out Tom Weilandt's effort. The attacking midfielder weaved his way though several challenges before striking at goal, only for Kruse to palm it to safety. The Westfalen side finally mustered a chance of their own with Hauke Wahl, the hero from the weekend, rising highest to a cross and forcing Sebastian Mielitz into a solid save.

Paderborn continued to come forward and twice came close to leveling matters late on in the half. First, Oliver Kirch's curling effort from all of 25 yards brought a top-class stop from the acrobatic Mielitz. There was nothing he could to with Marvin Bakalorz and his thunderous right-foot drive, though the luck was in for the hosts and the ball struck the upright.

Shamrocks clinical in second half

The second half looked to be swinging in favour of the visitors, who had made a promising start despite not managing to force Mielitz into a meaningful save. However, that was to be quickly wiped out with a stunning strike from Weilandt. The midfielder took aim from all of 25 yards out, and rocketed the ball into the top corner. Kruse was totally helpless with the shot swerving past him before he could properly react.

Paderborn came back again and Fürth were struggling to hold them back. A stunning save from Mielitz was required to keep out the powerful header from Niklas Hoheneder, in what was essentially the final nail in the coffin. To make matters worse, Jurgen Gjasula was afforded time and space in abundance and curled home a delightful finish into the bottom corner to seal all three points.

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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]