Auerbach vs Bayreuth

Scheder's early second-half strike was decisive. Had Auerbach reached the hour mark still trailing only 1-0, the momentum — and the crowd at the Sportfest — might have swung their way. Instead, the two-goal cushion let Bayreuth weather the hosts' best spell after Höpner's goal without conceding again.

Niklas Doll (SpVgg Bayreuth) – The new signing scored the opening goal in the 12th minute and was lively throughout. Man of the match.

Patrick Scheder (SpVgg Bayreuth) – The captain struck immediately after half-time to make it 2-0, effectively settling the contest.

Ben Höpner (VfB Auerbach) – Scored Auerbach's only goal and was the hosts' most dangerous attacker, forcing Bayreuth to stay alert.

Bayreuth's 1-0 half-time lead undersold their territorial dominance. Coach Lukas Kling made wholesale changes at the break — rotating virtually the entire outfield XI — yet Scheder still scored within two minutes of the restart, evidence of depth across the squad. Auerbach's goal came from their only sustained spell of pressure (55'–65'), after which Bayreuth regained control. The 2-1 scoreline flattered the hosts; Bayreuth created enough openings to have won by a wider margin, a point Kling emphasised post-match.

Bayreuth now have a 100% record in pre-season after beating Kalchreuth (6-0), Neumarkt (5-0) and Auerbach (2-1). The stiffer test arrives on Sunday 5 July, when they face 2. Bundesliga side SpVgg Greuther Fürth at the Hans-Walter-Wild-Stadion (13:30 kick-off). Auerbach continue their own preparations for the coming Oberliga Nordost Süd season.

A professional, if not entirely polished, performance from Bayreuth. The attacking combinations — Doll, Scheder and Onuigwe — look sharp, but Kling will want better conversion rates before the Regionalliga campaign begins. Auerbach competed well for long stretches and Höpner's goal was a bright spot against higher-level opposition.