The women's team of 1. FC Union Berlin were resounding winners on Sunday afternoon, coming away from the Ernst-Reuter-Sportfeld with a 4-0 victory against Hertha 03 Zehlendorf on matchday 18 of the Regionalliga Nordost. 150 spectators saw Union's victory thanks to a brace from Dina Orschmann and goals from Katja Orschmann and Celine Frank.

Hertha 03 Zehlendorf: Ulrich - Trincia (65. Eckhoff), Dreher, Haesler (74. Schulze), Mettner, Genthe, Danso, Zeinert (86. Buryakin), Wetzorke, Gefrörer, Kandetzki (74. Giannori)

1. FC Union Berlin: Wagner - Wildner, Becker, K. Orschmann, Reissner - Frank, Trojahn (72. Görsdorf), Heiseler - Youssef (72. Spolaczyk), D. Orschmann, Krauss (46. Rurack)

Goals: 0:1 D. Orschmann (20.), 0:2 K. Orschmann (60.), 0:3 D. Orschmann (76.), 0:4 Frank (86.)

Spectators: 150

Dina Orschmann breaks through Zehlendorf's solid defence

Union's Head coach Ailien Poese had chosen the same starting eleven that had beaten RB Leipzig II last weekend. But on the narrow artificial pitch in Zehlendorf, Union struggled to find any gaps against deep-lying opponents, despite having most of the ball throughout the first half, and it took until the 13th minute for Dina Orschmann to have the first shot on goal. However, her attempt from the edge of the penalty area was deflected around the post by Marie Ulrich in the Zehlendorf goal.

More half-chances followed from set-pieces and from distance, before the spell was finally broken in the 20th minute. Lina Krauss laid the ball off for Dina Orschmann in the penalty area, who gave the keeper no chance. Krauss herself could have scored five minutes later, but the 20-year-old failed to beat Ulrich from close range.

Union continued to dominate the game, but found themselves repeatedly halted in the final third by the hosts, who fought fiercely. It remained 1-0 at half time.

Orschmann twins and Frank extend the score

The patterns of the second half followed much as those of the first had. The hosts let Union dominate possession, and satd as an occupying block in their own half. Union struggled to break their obdurate opponents down. 

Redemption finally came in the 60th minute from a set-piece. Lisa Heiseler struck a corner sharply into the penalty area, where centre-back, Katja Orschmann, rose to increase the lead. Heiseler hit the bar a short time later with a vicious free kick. 

Union's dominance - and their patience - was ultimately rewarded as Hertha 03 stepped up, giving Union a chance to break at speed. They did so, the ball finding its way to Dina Orschmann, alone in the box, finishing with fifteen minutes to go. Celine Frank made it 4-0 when Heiseler, having received a pass from Dina Orschmann, initially failed to beat Ulrich. Frank was the quickest to react and put the ball away accordingly. It was 4-0 and would remain so as the final five minutes played themselves out.

With their fourth win in a row, Union are still in 2nd place in the table behind leaders Viktoria Berlin (48), level on 41 points with Türkiyemspor in 3rd place.

The coach's view on the game

"Hertha 03 Zehlendorf did very well defensively on the narrow pitch," said Union's head coach, Ailien Poese after the game. "They were difficult to play against. In the end, however, we won with four goals. So we are basically satisfied".

Scorer Celine Frank said, "We had a hard time against deep opponents, but we found the right solutions in the second half. It was very liberating to score again."

Outlook

Next Sunday, 26 March 2023, the next Berlin derby is already on the agenda for the Union women. Once again, Union will be away to SFC Stern 1900. The club from Steglitz are currently in 12th place, in the relegation zone.

Kick-off at the Schildhornstraße sports ground is at 14:00.