Molde Eye Bounce-Back Against Struggling Start at Aker
Molde host bottom side Start at Aker Stadion on Sunday 18 October, with the home side stung by a late disallowed goal at Lillestrøm. The fixture opens a run of two home league games in eight days, with Fredrikstad visiting on 25 October.
Fourth place meets bottom place
Molde go into the fixture fourth in the Eliteserien with 37 points from 22 games. They sit one place behind Tromsø, who have 39. Start are 16th with 16 points from the same number of matches, so they arrive in Molde at the foot of the table.
The gap on paper is large, but the home crowd will want a convincing performance. Kick-off is at 5:00 PM, and it is the first of two Eliteserien matches at Aker Stadion in the space of eight days.
A flashpoint from Lillestrøm
The build-up has been shaped by what happened on Sunday evening in Lillestrøm. Molde coach Sindre Tjelmeland was furious after his side were denied a winning goal in stoppage time. He criticised the officials in strong terms afterwards and said he had held a good and constructive conversation with the referee.
The club plans to lodge a protest. Tjelmeland suggested it would be largely symbolic, aimed at preventing similar situations in future rather than changing the outcome. Molde had led for long spells at Lillestrøm and could have extended their advantage, but the hosts took a point.
Had the late goal stood, Molde would have climbed above Tromsø into third place. Instead they remain fourth, and the home game against Start now offers a chance to turn that frustration into points.
Aker Stadion's busy calendar
The Start fixture is the next men's Eliteserien match at the stadium. Aker Stadion is the home ground of Molde FK and holds 11,249 spectators. It sits at Reknes, on the seashore in central Molde, and has been the club's base since it opened in 1998.
The stadium has not stood still this autumn. On 4 October it hosted a doubleheader, with the women's team in Toppserien action before the men played a friendly against Kristiansund. The club has also invited girls' teams from across the region to a dream training session at the venue, with Molde FK Kvinner players acting as coaches for the evening. It was organised with Sparebanken Møre.
A week after Start come Fredrikstad, who visit on 25 October with a 7:15 PM kick-off. Fredrikstad are eighth in the table with 29 points. Two home games in eight days, against opponents from the bottom and the middle of the table, give Molde a clear chance to strengthen their position in the top four.
Fans looking to attend can find details of upcoming fixtures through the club's official channels. Supporters can also visit the club's fan shop at Thon Senter MoldeTorget. It has moved temporarily to new premises while the neighbouring Kneippen store is renovated.
Sources: moldefk.no, abcnyheter.no, en.wikipedia.org
