Essen suffer shock defeat
RW Essen’s promotion hopes were severely dented after they conceded a stoppage time goal to lose 2-1 against bottom side RW Ahlen.
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The match
Sebastian Mai gave RW Ahlen the lead in the 40th minute but Simon Engelmann levelled with a penalty seven minutes into the second half.
The game was heading to a draw until substitute Ali Cirak – who came on in the 89th minute to make his second appearance– scored just two minutes after coming on to give Ahlen a shock win.
What it means
It was just their third win of the season and means they close the gap on second-bottom Bonner to one point. RW Essen are now seven points behind Dortmund II in top spot and have won just once in their last four.
Dortmund ease past Bonner
Borussia Dortmund II have extended their lead at the top of the German Regionalliga West to seven points after they beat Bonner SC 3-1.
The match
Ansgar Knauff, who made his Bundesliga debut last weekend setting up the equaliser, almost gave the Black and Yellows the lead when he was too quick for defender Sören Lippert and raced clear of the defence. He fired a shot at the near post that was saved by Jonas Hupe.
Knauff again showed a fleet of foot to burst past a defender but Hupe closed down the angle and made a smart save.
However, BVB II eventually broke the hosts down. Steffen Tigges teed up Richmond Tachie, who thrashed a shot into the net to score his ninth of the season.
Just before the hour mark, Dortmund doubled their lead.
Tigges and Tachie played a one-two with Tigges running onto a through ball. The forward rounded the goalkeeper which took him a little wide. But from an acute angle the German hammered an unstoppable shot into the back of the net to score his 17th league goal of the season.
Taylan Duman added a third from the penalty spot before Bonner scored a consolation through Tackie Sai.
What it means
Enrico Maaßen’s side strengthened their grip on top spot with the win, and are now seven points clear after RW Essen lost. Bonner are now just one point off bottom after RW Ahlen’s surprise win.
