Borussia Dortmund continue to be the early pacesetters in Bezirksliga Group 4. The outstanding Marie Grothe scored a hat-trick herself and set up another goal for Lea Rogger-Herpe as the Black & Yellows won their top-of-the-table clash with TuS Germania Lohauserholz. BVB were a player down for 72 minutes following a sending-off.

The BVB women had some minor personnel issues ahead of their table-topping game away to Lohauserholz, who had also made a perfect start to the season. Top goalscorer Vanessa Kuhl was away on holiday, as were Hanna Hentrich and Annika Fälker. In addition, Lea Auffenberg and Mia Macarena were unavailable (COVID-19). That meant coach Thomas Sulewski was forced to improvise, especially in the wide positions. Virginia Glänzer, a defender by trade, made her first appearance of the season on the left flank, while Nina Schulze was promoted from the second team and started on the right wing. "We needed pace out wide and Nina totally deserved it based on her performances," said Sulewski, explaining his decision to put Schulze straight into the starting XI.

As has recently been the way, the BVB women again came racing out of the starting blocks in Hamm and had the ball in the back of the net within 45 seconds. Mandy Reinhardt played a pass into the path of Marie Grothe, who fired it inside the near post. And that advantage was doubled inside the opening quarter-hour. Kimberly Becker played a long ball from midfield in behind the defence and Grothe went clean through, lobbing the ball over the opposition goalkeeper and into the net (12). Then things got heated: first Mandy Reinhardt was sent off for violent conduct (18), before Nina Schulze was brought down in the box three minutes later – but the referee opted not to award a penalty.

Despite being a player down, the Black & Yellows continued to control the match. Marie Grothe pushed slightly forward from her midfield role and repeatedly placed the opposition defence under pressure. One such instance came in the 33rd minute, when she spotted the run of Lea Rogge-Herper in the middle and the latter lobbed the ball over the onrushing goalie to make it 3-0. The outstanding Marie Grothe then rounded off the first-half action, her long-range effort slipping through the legs of the Germania goalkeeper and into the back of the net (44). "The fact we managed to dominate a game like that in spells while a player down for 70 minutes shows the class and footballing strength of my team," praised Thomas Sulewski after the final whistle.

TuS forward Maria Asnaimer, who was recently honoured for her 93 league goals last season, was completely neutralised by the BVB central defensive duo of Marina Jung and Nora Rechenbach. "We kept it compact, were well-positioned, everyone ran for each other and that's how we managed as a team to keep the opponent away from our goal," said defender Marina Jung.

In the second period, the Dortmund ladies focused on managing the result – but could have increased their margin of victory through substitute Ana Louisa Zabell, who was denied by the post (66). Only once the league leaders' energy levels dropped off slightly did the home side start to look more dangerous. Sandra Schröer made a stunning to save to deny Lara Freier and maintain the flawless defensive start to the season (86). Marina Jung could have scored the fifth goal from the penalty spot in the final minute but her strike towards the top right corner was saved by Zoe Bruchmann. As a result, the score in this fiercely contested fixture stayed at 4-0.

"That's what you play football for. It was a super team performance, but I do have to single out Marie today, who really relieved the pressure on us up top with her goals and runs while a player down," said Marina Jung as she reflected on an intense 90 minutes. Debutant Nina Schulze was ecstatic with the victory after the final whistle. "I was given a super welcome by the girls, it was a lot of fun and I'm happy that I was able to help out."

With five wins from five matches, the BVB women continue to occupy top spot in the Bezirksliga – two points ahead of VfL Senden – with 15 points and a goal difference of 25-0. Eintracht Dorstfeld will be the next visitors to the BVB Evonik Football Academy on Sunday (15:00 CET).

BVB: Schröer – Klemann, Jung, Rechenbach, Pörteners – Becker (Bergmann, 80) – Schulze (Herbig, 68), Grothe (Lau, 80), Rogge-Herper (Zabell, 64), Glänzer (Billig, 64) – Reinhardt

Goals: 1-0 Grothe (1), 2-0 Grothe (12), 3-0 Rogge-Herper (33), 4-0 Grothe (44)

(df)