Eredivisie: Roda JC 0 RKC Waalwijk 2

Promoted RKC Waalwijk picked up their first victory back in the Eredivisie on Friday, winning 2-0 away at Roda JC.

Hosts Roda finished sixth last season and came into the match at the Parkstad Limburg Stadion as favourites.

And they lived up that billing in the first half, enjoying the best of the early chances and leaving RKC relying on Jeroen Zoet to preserve the deadlock.

The goalkeeper produced an impressive double save, blocking Wiljan Pluim’s shot from 12 yards, before also keeping out an attempt on the rebound from Mark-Jan Fledderus.

RKC came closest through striker Rick ten Voorde, who fired over from close range following a good run from Sander Duits.

Fledderus threatened again for the home side, narrowly failing to turn in Mads Junker’s cross just before the break.

Despite Roda’s dominance in the first half, it was last season’s Eerste Divisie champions who proved more effective after the restart.

Defender Ard van Peppen gave the visitors the lead on 48 minutes, slamming the ball into the roof of the net from just inside the area.

Aaron Meijers could have doubled the advantage soon afterwards, but saw his long-range shot hit the crossbar.

Roda pressed in search of an equaliser, with Pluim’s low drive drawing another good save from Zoet.

Geoffrey Castillion then secured all three points for the RKC with six minutes to go, collecting a cross from Evander Sno before lobbing Roda goalkeeper Mateusz Prus from 14 yards out.

The win sees RKC climb to fifth on the table, with four points from three matches played.

Roda JC are just one point worse off in ninth place.