Tottenham loanee’s hat-trick not enough to save Excelsior as NAC Breda win promotion | OneFootball

On loan Tottenham striker Troy Parrott grabbed a hat-trick in the second leg of the promotion play-off as Excelsior almost pulled off a remarkable comeback against NAC Breda. After losing the first leg 6-2 and looking dead and buried, the Rotterdam side were back on level terms after just 50 minutes. Parrott scored twice in the first half, with NAC’s Boy Kemper scoring an own goal just before half-time. Irishman Parrott made it a hat-trick five minutes into the second half and it suddenly looked like momentum had completely shifted.

Many were probably comparing the turnaround to what had happened last Monday in Germany, when VFL Bochum had come back from a three goal first leg deficit to beat Fortuna Düsseldorf on penalties and remain in the top flight. However, Excelsior were not able to match Bochum and save their Eredivisie status. Just eight minutes after Parrott’s third goal, Casper Staring struck to give NAC a 7-6 lead on aggregate. Excelsior were unable to find another goal and despite winning 4-1 were relegated.

NAC were the lowest ranked side going into the promotion play-offs but have really turned things around when the pressure counted. NAC were last in the top flight of Dutch football in 2018/2019 when they finished 18th.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson