Heist vs Patro Eisden

The opening 45 minutes featured few clear-cut chances, with both sides feeling each other out in a cautious first half. The score remained 0-0 at the break.

The second half was a more closed affair, according to KSK Heist's post-match social media update, with the best opportunities falling to the home side. Heist goalkeeper Mon De Preter kept a clean sheet in what was his first full 90-minute outing of pre-season.

There was no single decisive moment in a match that lacked a cutting edge in either penalty area. Patro Eisden's inability to convert possession into clear chances — a recurring theme in their pre-season schedule — meant the game drifted towards a goalless conclusion. Heist defended with discipline and created the better openings but could not find a way through.

Mon De Preter (Heist) — The Heist goalkeeper played the full 90 minutes for the first time this pre-season and kept a composed clean sheet. The Heist coach told Het Belang van Limburg: "Vanuit die optiek liet ik Mon De Preter tegen Patro negentig minuten spelen" (From that perspective, I let Mon De Preter play ninety minutes against Patro).

Patro Eisden defence — The backline kept a clean sheet on the road, but the recurring problem remains at the other end. Patro have now gone three consecutive friendlies without scoring, following a goalless draw against Royal Antwerp and this result.

The 0-0 scoreline reflects a game with limited attacking ambition from both sides. The H2H record between these clubs — five draws in seven meetings — suggests this is a fixture that tends towards stalemates. Heist have conceded only once in two pre-season games (a 1-0 loss to KV Mechelen on 15 July), indicating a solid defensive foundation heading into the new season.

For Patro Eisden, the scoreless run is becoming a talking point. Het Nieuwsblad ran the headline: "Roep om 'le nouveau Rousseau' klinkt steeds luider: Patro wacht nog steeds op eerste goal van oefencampagne" (The call for 'the new Rousseau' grows louder: Patro still waiting for first pre-season goal). The Challenger Pro League side face Royal Antwerp on 24 July in their next friendly before the competitive season begins.

Heist, who play in Belgium's National Division 1 (third tier), started pre-season with two encouraging results — a narrow 0-1 loss to JPL side KV Mechelen and a creditable 0-0 draw against a side two divisions above them. Their next friendly is against ASV Geel on 29 July.

A pre-season friendly that will be remembered for what it revealed rather than what it delivered. Patro Eisden's attacking issues under Stijn Stijnen require urgent attention ahead of the Challenger Pro League season, while Heist will take genuine encouragement from two competitive displays against higher-division opposition.