Halle FC have halted their sporting slide and celebrated another success after five games without a win. Coach Sreto Ristic's charges won the basement duel in the third Bundesliga against penultimate-placed VfB Lübeck 3-0 (2-0) on Sunday and thus defended the last non-relegation place.
Jonas Nietfeld (16th minute/foul penalty) and Tunay Deniz (17th) struck twice in front of 7121 spectators at the Leuna-Chemie-Stadion to make an early decision. Timur Gayret made sure of the final score in the 75th minute. The Red & Whites had last won on January 23 in a 3-2 victory in Duisburg. Lübeck, managed by former Halle coach Florian Schnorrenberg, remain deep in the table after their 13th defeat.
The hosts began with great commitment and were rewarded early on for their attacking approach. After a foul on Deniz by former Halle player Aaron Herzog, Nietfeld converted the spot-kick with ease. Just one minute later, Deniz finished off a fine combination via Tarsis Bonga and Julian Eitschberger to make it 2-0.
After the break, the visitors pressed for the equalizer, but the HFC goal only came under serious threat when Leon Sommer's 54th-minute cross hit the inside of the post. The hosts gradually freed themselves from their grip and after an hour were back in control of the game and their opponents. The hosts were also able to cope with Baumann (86) failing to beat Klewin with his penalty.
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