retired_brinker317

Cheers

shannon2007

Its your story (bet you never knew that) but I think you should stay at Bac for a wee while more. Theres still plenty more puns to use I'm sure

Shermanez

As much as I'd love to see Stuart Fairway unveiled as the new Clarets boss, I'm with PM. :thup:

retired_brinker317

Just applied for it purely out of interest tbh - I doubt I'll ever be asked to manage Bac in England, unless I can do something extrordinary - Slovakia isn't exactly the first port of call when looking for a new manager - cheers though


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Bac-Online.sk - Football - Tuesday 28/9/04

'No-Go for Takac'

" FC Druzstevnik Bac manager Stuart Fairway has confirmed that Slovan Bratislava's demand of a £20,000 fee for winger Erik Takac is too much in the eyes of the Bac management.

"Takac is a good player" he said - "But we have no money to spend, and were hopeful of coming to an arrangement with Slovan over the fee. Unfortunatley, we couldn't, and as such, Erik won't be joining us".

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

By Friday, Fairway had seen a second transfer bid turned down - Humenne's young midfielder Vladimir Kiss , a youth graduate of the Second Division side not for sale at any price. As it happened, Friday quickly turned into a bad day - Robert Patras , with four goals in his last two games, would be missing on Saturday - a badly stubbed toe ruling him out for four days.

Bac v Tatran Presov - League

Unavailable

Robert Patras - Injured (Toe, 4 Days)

With no Patras, Ernest Lopu would earn a recall - and Fairway would go into a Saturday game with his side top of the league for only the Second time in his career. Presov - who won 4-0 the last time the two teams met - began well, and could have taken the lead as early as the seventh minute - Miroslav Bobok shooting over from 25 yards after neatly bringing the ball down. As it was, it would be Bac who opened the scoring on 28 - Ernest Lopu heading home a Benko cross. Two minutes later, Presov 'keeper Ferenc was again beaten - this time Marian Marek on target after a comedy of errors. Peter Svoboda's pass caught defender Zajcev and 'keeper Ferenc out of position - the striker nipping in to get a foot on the ball and send it into the net. On 33, Bac struck again - their third in five minutes - another Milos Glonek pass completely bypassing the midfield, and Marian Marek made no mistake, slotting home from the edge of the box to claim his 10th of the season. With Presov struggling to the break, Bac manager Fairway made two - perhaps suprising - changes - bringing on Hillyer and Balasz for Forrest and Cisar respectivley. It took a while for the subs to get into the game - Presov still providing no threat - and on 57, Marian Marek stabbed home after Ernest Lopu's shot had been well blocked. Presov were awful - a rare Novak effort wasted on 61 - before Vlastimil Benko killed off even the most optimistic away hopes with a shot past the stranded Ferenc on 72. "That'll make it 1-0 on aggregate" beamed Stuart Fairway to the Bac press corps after the game - his maths may be out, but his smile certainly wasn't.

Bac 5 - Presov 0 (Lopu, Marek 3, Benko)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Forrest (Replaced Hillyer 45), Glonek, Cisar (Replaced Balasz 45), Benko, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Lopu

Bac Position After Game; 1st

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | BAC | | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 24 | 11 | +13 | 24 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Licartovce | | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 27 | 12 | +15 | 22 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Humenne | | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 14 | 8 | +6 | 18 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Banska Bystrica | | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 11 | +6 | 16 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Senec | | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 13 | +5 | 15 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Kosice | | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 16 | +2 | 15 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Kys. Lieskovec | | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 13 | +1 | 14 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Devin | | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 16 | 0 | 13 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Cana | | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 16 | -5 | 13 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Bardejov | | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 12 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Rapid Bratislava | | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 11 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Zlate moravce | | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 18 | -7 | 10 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Duslo Sala | | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 18 | -5 | 10 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Prievidza | | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 11 | 19 | -8 | 10 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Dun. Streda | | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 13 | 21 | -8 | 9 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Presov | | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 13 | 25 | -12 | 8 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_brinker317

Despite Fairway's smiles, goalscorer Vlastimil Benko would be in pain on Sunday morning - strained knee ligaments diagnosed, that would keep the winger out for about a week.

After their pratical anhialation of Presov, Fairway was keen to keep his sides' good form going. However on Tuesday night, they would face probably their sternest test since the Cup Final...

Bac v Slovan Bratislava - Slovakian FA Cup Second Round

Unavailable

Vlastimil Benko - Injured (Knee, 1 Week)

With only Benko unavailable, the Cup Holders would go into action against one of the best sides in Slovakia with a key part of their arsenal - Benko scored in the Cup Final - unavailable. After a slow start, Benko's replacement, Tamas Nagy would get an early chance to show his talents - and wasted them. On 25, with Bac having the best of the opening exchanges, Eddie Forrest hooked the ball to the youngster. Edge of the box, the home crowd expecting a thunderbolt - Nagy hit a shot that curled in the wind, and sent the ball nearer the corner flag than 'keeper Vencel. Bac were firmly in charge throughout the first half - Marek wasted a fine chance on 27 - but after the break, the game swung. On 54, minutes after Gardosik had done just enough to block a Jan Slahor shot, Slovan took the lead - veteran midfielder Norbert Hrncar, one of five Slovan starters with international experience, scored from the penalty spot after Ernak had chopped down Obzera. On 65, Ernak - lucky to escape without a card of any colour - could have made amends, but shot straight at Vencel from close range. Though Bac's shooting was more on the wild side than anything else, Slovan weren't good value for their win - perhaps lucky to escape with progression to the Quarter Finals. A new name on the Cup, at least...

Bac 0 - Slovan 1

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Forrest, Glonek, Cisar, Nagy, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Lopu

retired_brinker317

With the holders out, Fairway could at least draw the comfort that now his side would be able to concentrate fully on the league. Top of the pile, going into the last five games before the winter break, Bac were now just over £94,000 in the black - and though he still had nothing in the way of transfer funds, Fairway was quietly confident that just maybe his club would be still in the mix at the end of the season.

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Slovakia-Today - Football - Wednesday 6/10/04

'Total Defeat - Zilina thumped in Holland'

" MSK Zilina's Group G campaign in the Champions League recieved a body-blow last night as the Slovakian side were thumped 4-1 by Ajax in Amsterdam. After just 8 minutes, Zilina shocked the Amsterdam ArenA - Martin Fabus scoring from close range to put them ahead. The lead however wouldn't last long - on 16 Ates Nicati fired home from the edge of the box to level.

From then on, it was plain sailing for Ajax - Steven Pienaar scored with a rocket of a shot from outside the box on 32, before Wesley Sonck and Viktor Sikora scored in the dying moments to seal the comphrensive victory Ajax's performance deserved.

With two games gone, Zilina need something against Lyon in France in their next game - and then some vastly improved performances - if they are to progress to the knockout stages.

Group G Results;

Ajax (NED) 4 - Zilina 1 (SVK)
Celta (SPA) 2 - Lyon 0 (FRA)

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

1. FC Kosice v Bac - League

Unavailable

Vlastimil Benko - Injured (Knee, 4 Days)

With no Benko and a defeat to bounce back from, Stuart Fairway would make no changes for the trip to out of form Kosice - still sixth, but without a win in four. Kosice started brightly, and on 9, Bac needed a good Gardosik stop to deny Lubomir Mati. On 21 - still against the run of play - Bac opened the scoring, through Andrej Cisar . After Lovegrove had robbed Patran, Peter Svoboda and Marian Marek combined well - the latter heading the ball into Cisar's path. He still had plenty to do - running the ball fully 30 yards before dinking a shot over 'keeper Rodak and into the far corner to score with a brilliant individual effort. Despite the goal, Kosice were definatley making all the early running - Gardosik bravley denying Mati on 29 before the same player hit the bar on 31 - getting just too much power behind a Marek Javorek cross to the far stick. On 39, the pressure finally told - a Gajdos long ball flicked on by Mati, into the path of skipper Ivan Lapsansky, who's shot bulged the net from the edge of the box. After the break play continued in the same vein - Mati and Lapsansky again busying Gardosik before - for the second time - Bac took the lead against the run of play. On 52 Cisar won possesion on half way, ran into the corner before beating Petran to cross. Though the ball fell slightly ahead of Ernest Lopu his shot - which took a slight deflection on it's way into the net - was enough to put the visitors ahead. The goal gave Bac some breathing space - and for the first time, they started imposing themselves on the game. Marek volleyed well wide on 56, before on 72, Lopu fired over from an acute angle. By this time however, Bac were down to 10 men - Cisar taken off injured with all three subs having been used. The pressure inevitably dropped, and bouyed by an enthusiastic home crowd, Kosice equalised on 82 - Gajdos' cross rifled home by Lubomir Mati - a just reward for his sterling efforts all afternoon. The point deserved, Bac stay top.

Kosice 2 - Bac 2 (Cisar, Lopu)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Forrest, Glonek (Replaced Hillyer 45), Cisar, Nagy (Replaced Solotruk 45), Svoboda (Replaced Meszaros 45), Horky*, Marek, Lopu

Bac Position After Game; 1st

retired_brinker317

With Monday's training session seeing a return for Andrej Cisar - his bruised thigh, which caused the cramp that forced him off, responding well to ice treatment, and Vlastimil Benko back after his knee strain, Fairway would have a full squad to train with for the next couple of weeks - no game on Saturday due to internationals.

By Wednesday, Fairway had a new priority - scouting. With plenty out of contract at the end of the season, the January Transfer Window would have increased importance this season. SH Senica winger Andrej Masarovic and two from Slovan Bratislava - winger Erik Takac and Pavol Mikulec - the latter a loanee at Bac last season would all be watched closely over the next couple of months, with a view to approaches during the winter break.

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Slovakia-Today - Football - Sunday 17/10/04

'Slovakia top Group after Andorra Demolition'

"Slovakia have continued their good form in Group 5 of the European World Cup Qualifying Section after thrashing Andorra 7-0 at Tehelne Pole. It took Mario Breska just one minute to open the scoring - and when Samuel Slovak added a second two minutes later, the stage was set. Miroslav Karhan scored on 17, before Slovak scored his second on 27 to make it 4-0 at half time.

After the break, with Andorra - who incredibly held England in September - shattered, Martin Fabus got in on the act - scoring on 69 and then again on 80 to make it six. In injury time, Marek Uljaky netted only his third international goal in 41 appearances - to easily smash Slovakia's record International win. Young Trencin winger Milan Ivana - 21 next month - got off the bench in the Second Half, winning his first cap with a good performance in the Second Half.

News of the World - Football - Sunday 17/10/04

'England stutter again - and stay third'

"England's below-par World Cup qualifying campaign continues to falter, with Sven Goran Eriksson's side dominating Croatia at the Stadium of Light but failing to score. With Scholes and Nolan struggling to create chances in midfield, England always looked to be fighting a losing battle - and now need dramatically improved performances to fight early pacesetters Slovakia"

Group 5 Results;

England 0 - Croatia 0
Slovakia 7 - Andorra 0
Scotland 4 - Cyprus 0

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bac v Vion Zlate Moravce - League

A fortnight after his sides' tremendous battle for a point at Kosice, Bac manager Stuart Fairway would lead his side into the game with a fully fit squad. Vlastimil Benko returning on the left, the only change to a side who have been undefeated in the league for over a month. With the game slow to start, Bac immediatley asserted themselves with the first chance - though it took 17 minutes to arrive. After picking up a fine pass from Peter Svoboda, Ernest Lopu ran on, nipping through a gap in the defence to fire past 'keeper Hajduch and give Bac the lead. With Moravce still to register a shot by half time, it was somewhat suprising that Bac only led 1-0 - Lopu in particular having a fine game. On 55 he would strike again - Marcel Horky pinging a lovely ball through - Ernest Lopu on hand to fire home with a shot that clipped the near post on it's way past Hajduch. His individual performance had dominated the game - and led to a dismissal on 63, Moravce's Jan Durica sent off for a push on the young striker - in doing so, Durica threw away any chance the visitors had of getting something from the game. On 75 goalscorer turned provider - Horky again putting Lopu away, only for the striker - on a hattrick - to square, straight into Marian Marek's path - a tap-in simply bread and butter for the league's top scorer. Bac were sublime - Moravce were woeful - and on this form, Bac look Championship Contenders...

Bac 3 - Moravce 0 (Lopu 2, Marek)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Forrest, Glonek, Cisar, Benko, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Lopu

Bac Position After Game; 1st

retired_brinker317

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Slovakia-Today - Football - Wednesday 26/10/04

'Zilnia Euro Dream in Tatters'

MSK Zilina lost 3-1 to Lyon yesterday to leave Juraj Simurka's side facing an uphill struggle to qualify from the Groups. After Bernard David had put Lyon ahead in the Stade Gerland after just 13 minutes, Zilina soon responded - Vladimir Labant netting on 15. A further three minutes followed before the third goal of the game - Lyon's second - young Armand Ferrand heading home from close range. When Mikeal Duval added a third on 26, the game was practically over - and it'll need victories over Lyon and Celta Vigo if Zilina are to have any chance of progression.

Group G Results;

(FRA) Lyon 3 - Zilina 1 (SVK)
(NED) Ajax 1 - Celta 1 (ESP)

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

With no game on Saturday, Bac would have a week's training ahead of their return to league action - with only three games to go until the Winter Break, Fairway set his side a tough target.

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Bac-Online - Football - Sunday 31/10/04

'Fairway - I Want Three Wins'

" FC Druzstevnik Bac manager Stuart Fairway has revealed that he wants his side to win their final three games before the Winter Break.

"We've got three games - two of them against sides in the bottom six" he said. "And though it'll be a tough ask, I'd really like us to win all three. If we do that, we'll head into the Christmas Break in a good frame of mind, and still top of the league. In England, there's a tradition that if you are top at Christmas, you'll be right up there come the business end of the season. I hope that'll be the case in Slovakia too".

Meanwhile, Fairway also took time to praise Andrej Ernak - the left back who signed for Bac in the summer from Non-League Dubova. "Andrej wasn't our initial target" he said - "But when we found he was available, we decided to snap him up instead. I'm delighted with the way he's been performing at left back, and he's been a really solid addition to our squad".

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

While his expectations of victories recieved praise, Fairway's decision to publically praise Andrej Ernak did not. On Tuesday, Bac-Online ran a Sports Letters special - with many Bac fans indicating that, in their opinion, Ernak still had plenty to prove. Fairway was furious - although his player seemed to accept the general consensus.

REAMOS Kysucky Lieskovec v Bac - League

With no injuries - but the small cloud that formed after Fairway praised Ernak at the weekend - still hanging around, he led his side into the game with the comforting knowledge that whatever the result, they'd stay top - and if things went their way, could go seven points clear. They began with this clearly in mind - Bac having the most of the opening exchanges - and on 14, Ernest Lopu came close to opening the scoring, seeing a shot tipped wide. On 33, with Kys. Lieskovec beginning to assert themselves on the game, Bac were forced into a change - a knock for Andrej Cisar sending the winger off injured, to be replaced by young Albert Balasz. Under a lot of pressure, Bac finally conceded a goal on the stroke of half time. With Cisar missing, and Balasz not quite communicating effectivley with Robert Lovegrove, Lieskovec winger Tibor Golian stormed forward, before crossing for Peter Spaniak to nod home at the near post. It didn't take long for Kys. Lieskovec to double their lead after the break - on 57, Peter Spaniak rounded 'keeper Gardosik to slot home his second of the game. The goal came about after a catastrophic mistake by Lovegrove - his pass too weak to reach it's midfield target, and Spaniak took full advantage. With Fairway fuming on the sidelines, Bac would pull one back on 64 - Marian Marek heading home an Albert Balasz cross to give the league leaders a hope. It would soon disapeer - on 70, Eddie Forrest's trip on Peter Spaniak would see the Scot dismissed - and eleven minutes later on 81, Robert Lovegrove followed him - an errant elbow putting Bac down to just nine men. Incredibly, they still had chances - deep in injury time, with the clock showing 93, Marian Marek turned and shot straight at 'keeper Peskovic from inside the six-yard box. It was a gallant effort - the dismissals costing Bac dear - and that 3 Games - 3 Wins hope has been blown out of the water.

Kys. Lieskovec 2 - Bac 1 (Marek)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Forrest, Glonek (Replaced Albert 66), Cisar (Replaced Balasz 33), Benko, Svoboda (Replaced Solotruk 66), Horky*, Marek, Lopu

Bac Position After Game; 1st

retired_brinker317

Far from being Seven points clear, come Monday morning, Bac had just the solitary point advantage over Licartovce. On top, they would have Robert Lovegrove suspended for three games for use of the elbow, and fellow defender Eddie Forrest banned for one game.

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Slovakia-Today - Football - Thursday 11/11/04

'Late goal gives Zilina first Euro Victory'

" An injury-time winner from Marian Klago has given MSK Zilina the chance to qualify for the Knockout stages - his goal giving Zilina a 3-2 win over Lyon at Pod Dubnom.

Due to a late kickoff, a full report will be in tomorrow's paper

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Though Fairway's problems were pressing, on Thursday they paled into comparision with those of Ladislav Molnar . Molnar led Banska Bystrica into the First Division - and out of it again - and after a poor start to the season, has paid with his job.

Bac v SK Devin - League

Unavailable

Eddie Forrest - Suspended (1 of 1)
Robert Lovegrove - Suspended (1 of 3)

With two of his key men out, Bac manager Stuart Fairway would have a selection dilemma for the first time in several weeks. Lovegrove's replacement was clear-cut - Ladislav Szijjarto stepping in at Right Back, while in the middle, Matt Hillyer got the nod over Tomas Albert. Devin - struggling in the league - started well - Petras and Schlesinger both drawing early saves from 'keeper Gardosik. However on 29 it was Bac who would take the lead - Andrej Cisar applying the finishing touch to a Marcel Horky free kick. Three minutes later, Cisar turned provider - stretching to deflect an errant clearance past the diving Sovic - allowing the ball to run for Vlastimil Benko to steer home from close range. Bac were flying, and just before the break, skipper Horky missed a golden chance to add a third - hammering over from close range. It was Devin who created the first chance of the Second Half - Marian Bellak carving out an opening on 48, before firing straight at Gardosik. Any thoughts of a revival were soon dashed - on 61, in what was suprisingly the last chance of the game for either side, Marian Marek glanced home Peter Svoboda's corner - the ball skimming the post on it's way into the net - and Bac were well and truly home and dry.

Bac 3 - Devin 0 (Cisar, Benko, Marek)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Szijjarto, Ernak, Hillyer (Replaced Albert 45), Glonek , Cisar, Benko, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Lopu

Bac Position After Game; 1st

retired_quechulapr

if you leave, they'll be begging you to come bac.