Having picked up just a point from their first two games following promotion back to the big time, tonight's assignment in Kerkrade looked a difficult one. However, goals from Ard van Peppen and Geoffrey Castillion proved to be enough for Ruud Brood's side, who are in the top half of the table. Roda, who have now lost two games without scoring after an opening-day win over FC Groningen, started the better of the sides and give little hint that they would slip to defeat. Wiljan Pluim picked up the ball 12 yards out and drove into the body of goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet, with the stopper excelling again as he got up to keep out Mark-Jan Fledderus on the rebound. RKC steadied the ship somewhat after that and could have taken the lead in the 38th minute. Sander Duits embarked on an impressive solo run and, once his pass was threaded through to Rick ten Voorde, a goal should have followed, but the striker could only flash over the bar from three yards out. He was nearly made to pay for it too, as just seconds later Fledderus almost directed a Mads Junker cross inside the post. RKC were not too wasteful when the second half resumed, however, and took the lead in the 48th minute. There looked to be little danger when possession fell to Van Peppen just inside the area, but he quickly addressed that as he slammed home into the top corner. It could have been two not long after, when Aaron Meijers let fly from 25 yards and saw his effort bounce back off the crossbar. Roda did their best to level, with Pluim forcing Zoet into a diving save when he fizzed in a 20-yard shot, but they were unable to wipe off the deficit and were put to bed with six minutes left. Evander Sno's cross fell to Castillion and, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he opted to try a lob from 14 yards which did its job and nestled in the back of the net.
