Staphorst and ACV Assen served up one of the most entertaining matches of the Netherlands Derde Divisie round on Saturday, 19 September 2026, with ACV Assen edging a five-goal thriller 3-2. The visitors twice came from behind before snatching a late winner, turning a tense 20:30 kick-off into a dramatic away success.

Match Overview

The game swung repeatedly. Staphorst started brightly and took the lead, only for ACV Assen to respond with patient build-up and a well-taken equaliser. Staphorst regained the advantage before half-time, but ACV Assen’s persistence paid off after the break as they levelled again and then found the decisive goal in the closing stages.

It was a contest of contrasting styles: Staphorst looked dangerous on the counter and from set pieces, while ACV Assen controlled long spells of possession and kept probing for gaps around the penalty area. The final scoreline reflected the balance of chances, with ACV Assen creating the clearer opportunities late on.

Key Moments

• 11th minute – 1-0 Staphorst: Jeroen Bakker finished off a quick break, firing past the goalkeeper after a slick exchange on the right.
• 29th minute – 1-1 ACV Assen: Sven Dekker equalised with a composed finish from the edge of the box after sustained pressure.
• 44th minute – 2-1 Staphorst: Martijn Vos restored the home lead, heading in from a whipped free-kick.
• 63rd minute – 2-2 ACV Assen: Bram Mulder levelled again, arriving late in the box to convert a low cross.
• 88th minute – 2-3 ACV Assen: Niels Postma grabbed the winner with a superb first-time strike from just inside the area, sparking wild celebrations.

Tactical Story

Staphorst set up to absorb pressure and hit on the break, and for long periods that plan worked. They defended narrowly, forced ACV Assen into crosses and looked threatening whenever they won the ball in midfield. But as the game wore on, their deep block invited more and more pressure.

ACV Assen’s midfield rotations gradually wore Staphorst down. They moved the ball from side to side, pulled the full-backs forward and created overloads in wide areas. The late winner came from exactly that pattern: a patient move that ended with Postma arriving in space at the top of the box. ACV Assen finished with 18 shots to Staphorst’s 10, and their 62% possession underlined their control of the second half.

Standout Players

Niels Postma was the hero with the late goal, but Bram Mulder’s equaliser and all-round energy were equally important. Sven Dekker knitted the midfield together, while Staphorst’s Jeroen Bakker and Martijn Vos both took their goals well. The Staphorst goalkeeper made several important stops, but he could do little about the accuracy of ACV Assen’s late finishing.

Season Impact

ACV Assen will take huge belief from a comeback win of this nature, especially away from home in the Netherlands Derde Divisie. Staphorst are left to reflect on a painful defeat after leading twice, and the manner of the loss may hurt more than the result itself. Both teams showed they can score goals, but ACV Assen’s ability to find a late winner could prove valuable in the season’s bigger picture.