Mitchell te Vrede brace sinks Roda JC

A Mitchell te Vrede double helped Heerenveen to a 3-1 win at home against Roda JC in the Eredivisie.

Sam Larsson had an early chance for the Frieslanders but his shot was well saved low by Benjamin van Leer in the Roda goal.

Heerenveen then took the lead after Caner Cavlan's shot hit the post, and the rebound was tucked away by Mitchell te Vrede for his fourth goal of the season.

Dutch winger Luciano Slagveer extended the host's lead later in the first half after he struck a shot from outside of the box, and a slight deflection helped the ball loop over a helpless Van Leer and into the corner of the goal.

Larsson was denied again by Van Leer in the second half before Mitchel Paulissen came close for the hosts twice, the first being tipped over by Erwin Mulder before he missed wildly with his second.

Te Vrede was brought down in the box with 20 minutes remaining by Bart Biemans, and the 24-year-old took the spot kick himself to notch Heerenveen's third of the game.

Branco van Boomen and Larsson saw their late efforts to compound the result denied as Roda held firm in the closing stages.

The win moves Heerenveen up to 10th in the Eredivisie table, while Roda remain in 14th.