CLUB NEWS, A-SQUAD NEWS, HISTORY

ON JANUARY 3rd 1976 BEERSCHOT RAN RIOT AGAINST ANDERLECHT

TWO HATTRICKS… AND THEN “POLLEKE” LAMBERT SCORES THE WINNER

BEERSCHOT - ANDERLECHT  4 - 3

“Spectacular football” and “loads of goals” were the the key words in our search to find an unforgettable match against Anderlecht in Beerschot's football history. And that eventually took us back to January 1976, to a game with goals galore, a unexpected and unforgettable come back… and a happy end. 

The Beerschot v Anderecht game from almost 46 years ago had everything in it that makes football one of the most entertaining sports on the planet. Our ‘Mannekes’ started in style with Guido Mallants in a decisive role as playmaker. Paul Lambert scored twice and Walter Meeuws added a third goal to give Beerschot a 3-0 lead just after half time. Game over it seemed… but then, on the hour, Anderlecht made an incredible come back, with three goals in as many minutes. A world record hattrick by Gille Van Binst.

Beerschot looked down and out, but again it was Mallants who impressed with a faultless display. He picked up the pieces and outclassed the Anderlecht defence with his magical left foot . Paul Lambert scored his third goal in the 74th minute and secured Beerschot’s victory… although Anderlecht created two goal scoring opportunities in the dying minutes by Arie Haan and Peter Ressel. But Beerschot goalkeeper Dré Lauryssen palmed both shots wide and over the bar. What a sensational game of football. What a turnaround. The crowd in the Olympic Stadium erupted.

It was quite remarkable that Juan Lozano was subbed halfway the second half. It didn’t happen very often that coach Rik Coppens took his key (and favourite) player off, but on that Saturday our Spanish football magician had a complete off day… which allowed Guido Mallants to shine in his place. The Belgian media gave our left footed striker the accolade he deserved, crowned him “Man of the Match” and dropped his name as a potential Belgian international. But that never materialized.

SATURDAY 3 JANUARI 1976 – OLYMPIC STADIUM

BEERSCHOT- ANDERLECHT  4 – 3

ATTENDANCE: 14.00
REFEREE: Van Melkebeke

GOALS: 13’ Lambert 1-0, 15’ Meeuws 2-0, 47’ Lambert 3-0, 59’ Van Binst3-1, 60’ Van Binst 3-2, 61’ Van Binst 3-3, 74’ Lambert 4-3

BEERSCHOT: Lauryssen, Meeuws, Tolsa, Nielsen, L. Van Gucht,  Lozano (68’ Devers), Hansen, Van Pelt, Lambert, Sanon, Mallants

ANDERLECHT: Ruiter, Van der Elst, Palmers, Thissen, Dockx, Haan, Van Poucke (55’ De Groote), Ressel, Van Binst, Coeck, Rensenbrink 

YELLOW CARDS: Haan, Dockx, Van Pelt

Beerschot finished the 1975-1976 season in 7th place, behind champions Club Brugge, Anderlecht, RWDM, Lokeren, Waregem and SK Beveren. Our good neighbours Berchem Sport were relegated to Division 2, together with Racing Mechelen.

Coach Rik Coppens used 25 players, five of them promising youngsters that came through the Youth Academy from the Wilrijkse Pleinen. The first team squad: André Lauryssen, Marc Van Geersom, Julien Van Opdorp, Walter Meeuws, Adri Van Staeyen, Louis Van Gucht, Arto Tolsa, Jean Rylant, Guy Provost, De Ridder, Benny Nielsen, Rudi Devers, Pierre Deraet, Luc Peeters, Jos Van Pelt, Paul Muyshondt, Juan Lozano, Paul Lambert, Tommy Hansen, Walter Cornelis, Chico Cabral, Guido Mallants, René Mücher, Emmanuel Sanon and Rudy Van Landeghem.  

Guido Mallants was our club topscorer with 10 goals. Lozano scored 9 times while our Haitian World Cup star Emmanuel Sanon netted seven.

Oh yes, I am sure you haven't forgotten last season's game with Anderlecht. Beerschot won 2-1 with goals from Ismaila Coulibaly and Rapha Holzhauser. Would be nice if we could repeat that on Monday night. 

By Danny Geerts
 

Jupiler Pro League

1 K. Beerschot V.A. 50 pts
2 SK Lommel 48 pts
3 K.M.S.K Deinze 46 pts
4 F.C.V. Dender E.H 45 pts
5 Patro Eisden Maasmechelen 43 pts