The visitors, including the Leverkusen-born Germany international Paul Janes, can rarely free themselves from the clutches of the Bayer attack. On 15 minutes Hans Frömmel opens the scoring with a long-range effort. That is followed by a constant bombardment on the Fortuna goal supported by cheers and the siren-like howling of children. Theo Kirchberg scores another goal before half-time but this is ruled out due to an offside decision. Centre forward Emil Becks hits the ball over the bar from three metres out just before half-time leaving the Werkself with a 1-0 lead at the break.
Bayer 04 carry on attacking after the restart. Manfred Höher hits the ball just over the target after a solo run. In addition to Höher, Anton Mauth often leads the action. Emil Becks begins to limp in the middle of the second half after taking a knock but, as was the case back then, cannot be substituted. So he just moves up and down the touchline. On 80 minutes, Anton Mauth breaks down the right flank puts a cross into the penalty area and Manfred Höher heads the ball into the back of the net. Everybody's up from their seats and minutes of celebration sound across the pitch as that goal decides the game. With the final whistle, the Werkself players throw up their arms and are happy to have beaten a famous opponent after a tough battle but with a clear and deserved victory.
The end of the season brings a fifth place finish but the Werkself gain promotion to the First Oberliga West the next season.
Dieter Bast was born in Oberhausen on 28 August 1951. He began playing football in the youth team at DJK Arminia Klosterhardt, a local club in Oberhausen. Whilst training as a toolmaker, he moved to neighbouring club Sterkrade 06/07 to play for their U19s, where he caught the eye of Bundesliga sides Rot-Weiss Essen and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bast opted for Rot-Weiss and played in the Bundesliga from 1970 onwards. In his very first year, he made 22 appearances as a right winger, scoring three goals. Nevertheless, Essen were unable to avoid relegation.
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José Vítor Roque Júnior was born on 31 August 1976 in Santa Rita do Sapucaí, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. As a youth, he played for São José EC, a club in the east of the state of São Paulo. His professional career began in 1995 with Palmeiras São Paulo. There, Roque Júnior quickly established himself as a key player in the team, making more than 200 appearances and enjoying significant success. With the club, he won the Copa do Brasil in 1998 and the Copa Libertadores in 1999, the South American equivalent of the European Champions League.
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In this video you can see impressive and important goals in the history of Bayer 04 from the month of August. It's not always about the beauty of the goals, but also a reminder of special games and players.
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The Werkself play their first top-flight match in Bayer 04’s history away at Sportfreunde Katernberg. 7,000 spectators turn up at the Am Lindenbruch stadium in that district of Essen. The Katernbergers have transformed the once ‘barren’ pitch into a real gem. On this Sunday afternoon, 19 August 1951, the lush turf provides the perfect conditions for a good game of football.
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Following a thoroughly successful start with a 2–1 home win against VfL Wolfsburg, the Werkself are organising a team event. On Wednesdays, they head to the Nürburgring together and do a few laps at speed. Manager Klaus Toppmöller welcomes this initiative, as it promotes team spirit and integration. During weekly training sessions, the team works extensively on various defensive tactics, as the manager was dissatisfied with his players’ pressing in the final minutes of the match against the Wolves.
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