Torhout vs HO Kalken Match Recap - Oct 19, 2025

Torhout Stuns High-Flying HO Kalken, Breathes Life into Survival Fight with First Win in Six

A cloudy afternoon at Complex De Velodroom became the unlikely stage for a seismic shift in Torhout’s season. Anchored to the foot of the Second Amateur Division - VFV A table, the hosts, losers of five straight and with only a single point to their name, found a spark that has eluded them all autumn. Against HO Kalken—fourth in the standings, unbeaten in five of their last six—Torhout delivered a performance that was equal parts desperation and determination, upending the form book with a 2-1 victory that could mark a turning point in their campaign.

From the opening whistle, the match offered little hint of an upset. HO Kalken, brimming with the confidence of a side accustomed to dictating terms, immediately pressed for an early breakthrough. Their movement off the ball and crisp passing suggested a team intent on extending their strong October run, having overcome Oostkamp just a week prior and dispatching Gullegem and Oudenaarde in recent outings.

Yet, it was Torhout who struck first, shaking off a month-long scoring malaise. Midway through the first half, a clever interchange on the left flank opened space for their winger to whip in a teasing cross. The ball evaded the retreating Kalken defenders and found the boot of striker Jens Vanhaecke, who made no mistake from close range. For a team whose last home goal came more than a fortnight ago, the eruption of joy from the home terrace was as much catharsis as celebration.

HO Kalken, momentarily stunned, responded in kind—their midfield orchestrator, Lander Maes, growing into the game and carving out opportunities. Their equalizer came shortly before halftime. A set-piece routine saw the ball floated deep into the box, where Kalken’s captain, Tom Verschueren, rose highest to nod home. As halftime arrived, it was easy to imagine Torhout’s early promise dissolving as so often before.

But today, the script flipped. Torhout emerged for the second half reenergized, emboldened by the crowd and perhaps cognizant of what was at stake—a chance to rewrite their season’s narrative. The contest grew tense, both sides trading half-chances. The sense of impending drama was palpable as tackles grew sharper and voices from the bench barked encouragement.

The decisive moment arrived in the 73rd minute. Pressing high, Torhout forced a turnover deep in Kalken territory. A quick exchange left with midfielder Lucas Desmet, who unleashed a curling shot from the edge of the area. The ball sailed beyond Kalken’s diving goalkeeper and nestled into the top corner—a goal of rare quality in any league, and one met with disbelief from both sets of supporters.

For HO Kalken, chasing a promotion playoff berth and coming off a series of impressive wins, the setback was jarring. Their efforts to claw their way back into the contest foundered against a Torhout side playing with newfound resolve and, for once, a touch of luck. The visitors’ frustration boiled over in the dying minutes when substitute Emile Boone, brought on to inject pace, was handed a straight red card for a reckless challenge—a moment that compounded Kalken’s misery and effectively ended their hopes of salvaging a point.

The final whistle brought a rare eruption of joy from Torhout’s dugout. The win, only their second of the campaign, snaps a five-match losing streak and propels them to four points—still just 16th, but no longer cut adrift, and suddenly within sight of the safety line. More than just three points, this result serves as an injection of belief for a side that looked lost for answers just a week ago after a bruising run that included a 0-4 hammering at Mandel United and a string of home defeats.

For HO Kalken, this trip to West Flanders leaves more questions than answers. Their climb into the top four has been built on a foundation of defensive solidity and timely goals, but the cracks showed as they failed to impose themselves on the division’s strugglers. With 14 points after seven matches, their standing is not immediately imperiled—they remain in the hunt for promotion—but this defeat will sting and serve as a warning against complacency as autumn turns to winter.

History between these two sides has been sparse in recent years, with HO Kalken typically holding the upper hand, but today’s meeting may be remembered as a watershed for both. For Torhout, a springboard; for Kalken, a stumble at a critical juncture.

Looking ahead, the stakes are clear. Torhout must harness the momentum from this seismic win as they navigate a daunting run of fixtures, knowing their margin for error remains vanishingly slim. Survival remains an uphill battle. HO Kalken, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly, lest today’s slip becomes a trend that undermines their ambitions. The Second Amateur Division is unforgiving, and on an afternoon when hope found root in unlikely soil, both sides were reminded just how swiftly fortunes can change.