Shermanez

What RASP said. Brillaint d_s :thup:

retired_shandipope

Surely best Slovakian-based story of the year

retired_brinker317

jordivf, RASP, Gino and mmaattyy - thanks - It's certainly appreciated . Should have started it about a month ago if I wanted Best Slovakian Story methinks

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Bac-Online.sk - Football - Tuesday 19/8/03

'Fairway - We want to sign Mikulec'

'Bac manager Stuart Fairway has revealed that he is in talks with Slovan Bratislava regarding loanee defender Pavol Mikulec . Mikulec, 23, has impressed many with his form so far this season, and though only a couple of months into his season-long loan deal, Fairway is obviously keen to make the move permanent."Pavol is a good little player" he said. "We're discussing terms with Slovan, but it would be good to get

something sorted soon. The money situation is a bit of a problem - I've got no money to spend, so hopefully we can sort something out with regards to sell-on fees and the like."

Fairway also took time out to praise winger Vlastimil Benko . Benko, Fairway's first signing at Bac, has settled in quickly, becoming a potent attacking asset down the left. "I've been delighted with his hard work", Fairway told BO.sk'

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Despite his keen-ness to get a deal sorted, Fairway would see disapointment on the Mikulec front on Wednesday morning. A follow-up bid was again refused - leaving a third bid with Andrej Cisar and Ivan Bugar thrown in as well as a 50% sell-on fee, his only option.

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Slovakia-Today - Football - Friday 15/8/03

'Petrzalka Progress as Puchov Crash'

"Slovakia will have a representative in the First Round proper of the UEFA Cup after FC Artmedia Petrzalka last night cruised to victory in the Second Leg of their game against Lithuanian side FK Ekranas. After a 2-0 victory for the Slovaks in the home leg, goals from Tomas Gerich, Karel Vacha and Lubomir Orabinec, sandwiching a Juska consolation made it 5-1 on aggregate.

In Bulgaria meanwhile FK Matador Puchov failed to overturn the 3-1 defecit from the first leg, and ended up conceding four more in their Second Leg game against Levski Sofia. Levski ran riot, with Minchev scoring the first before Tsvetanov scored twice in the first 20 minutes to put the tie beyond any doubt. Although Jozef Muzlay pulled one back on 24 for Puchov, the game was more or less a dead rubber. Georgi Pavlov's second half effort capped a fine personal performance - but it's back to the drawing board for Puchov. Petrzalka too will be hoping the game is a catalyst for their league fortunes - currently bottom of the First Division, they could do with Karel Vacha finding his scoring boots domestically too.

FC Artmedia Petrzalka draw Trabzonspor (Turkey) in the First Round

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Friday, and some bad news on the Bac front. With Fairway's bidding for Mikulec seemingly stalling, news that Maros Puchner had damaged his jaw in a training ground collision would nescesitate a change for Saturday's visit of Vranov.

Bac v Bukocel Vranov nad Toplou - League

Unavailable

Marian Tomcak (Injury - Knee, 3 weeks)
Maros Puchner (Injury - Jaw, 5 Days)

With Puchner joining Tomcak on the injury list, Tomas Albert's inclusion for the first time this season was an entirely expected one by Bac - with Fairway prefering the Chairman's Son over his only other senior option, Peter Marinic. It would be the only change - Robert Patras again only handed a place on the bench. His claims for a first team place would almost immediatley recieve a boost - Marek booked for a petulant, over-exaggerated 'fall' in front of the referee. With Vranov quiet up front, Bac gradually imposed themselves on the game, and on 37, Marian Marek more than made up for his petulance with a diving header of true quality. The only man in the area, Marek finished off a brilliant team move from close range after Lopu's flicked-on header. Provider turned goalscorer six minutes later - Ernest Lopu getting in on the act, applying the killer touch after a scrappy corner broke loose inside the six-yard box. With his side comfortably leading at the break, Bac boss Stuart Fairway made two changes for the second half - bringing on Cisar and Nagy, two fringe - at best - players for regulars Szijjarto and Benko. Though they - and Bac - had little to do in a dire second half of little interest to any of the 2348 - Bac's biggest attendance of the season to date - in the stadium, both did themselves no harm at all with solid showings.

Bac 2 - Vranov 0 (Marek, Lopu)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Szijjarto (Replaced Cisar 45), Mikulec, Albert, Glonek, Meszaros, Benko (Replaced Nagy

45), Svoboda, Horky*, Lopu, Marek

Bac Position After Game; 4th

retired_brinker317

Despite climbing a place to fourth, it would still be a frustrating weekend for Stuart Fairway - forced to concede defeat in the hunt for Floren Mikulec on Sunday morning, Slovan Bratislava unwilling to simply give away one of their young players. He wouldn't have time to dwell on that - or the result - anyway, with a First Round Slovakian FA Cup tie on the midweek horizon. There would also be a score to settle...

FK Cana v Bac - Slovakian FA Cup First Round

Unavailable

Marian Tomcak (Injury - Knee, 2 weeks)
Maros Puchner (Injury - Jaw, 2 Days)

With Puchner and long-term injury victim Tomcak still unavailable, Stuart Fairway would keep faith with his previous starting lineup for the potentially tricky trip to FK Cana. The minnows - albeit minnows with a bigger ground than Bac - thumped Fairway's side in preseason, playing well above their stature. As it was, they didn't start in the same way. Missing double goalscorer from that game Lubomir Puhak - who tore a calf muscle late on - they struggled to win the ball in the earliest of opening exchanges. 19 seconds after kicking off, Bac led - Marcel Horky getting to the loose ball first just outside of the area after a Benko cross had been half cleared. The captain struck the ball first time, simply rifling it into the roof of the net. After the shock of conceding such an early goal, Cana gradually regained their footing, imposing themselves on the match, and before long, got the goal they deserved. On 29 Marian Duris chased what looked like a lost cause, before deftly nodding the ball into the path of strike partner Emil Ziga, who slotted past Gardosik with some skill. Six minutes later, Bac regained the lead - Marian Marek allowing his predatory skills to come to the fore, bursting past defender Cizmar to net from close range. Once again, Cana would soon peg the score back - Emil Ziga shrugging off the persistent Albert to fire into the roof of the net from close range. With three changes at the break, it became clear that Bac manager Fairway was not at all happy with his troops. His changes had the desired impact - Patras probably should have scored on 48, before Marian Marek linked up well with fellow goalscorer Horky to bag his second of the game from close range. From then on it was backs to the wall stuff - Cana laying siege to the Bac goalmouth, and having numerous chances to score. Duris' header hit the bar on 58, and Ziga saw a third ruled out for offside seven minutes later. Duris, Madarik and Kohut would all have - and miss - further chances, before eventually the pressure told on 89. A Marian Straka cross was fired at goal by Peter Duris, who then reached the rebound before 'keeper Gardosik to stab home from a matter of yards out. Heads dropped - and for Bac sub Albert Balasz, making only his second appearance of the season, were lost. The young winger, known for his firey temprement, lashed out at Grac as the two tusseled for a throw-in - and was promptly sent off. Both sides would have their chances in injury time - but ultimatley, penalty kicks would be needed to decide the one-off tie. Straka's first penalty for Cana beat Gardosik, but Marek failed to do the same, his weak kick easily saved. Kohut then stepped up to shoot for Cana - and saw his kick blocked, while Szijjarto made no mistake to level for Bac. Megyesi then failed to score for the home side, as did Bac's Tomas Albert, before Madarik's miss for Cana put the tie at the boots of Bac's Mikulec. He missed, prolonging the agony - before Duris' goal put the boot on the other foot. Vladislav Benko made no mistake, scoring the crucial penalty that would keep Bac in the game, before Jan Cizmar hit the woodwork to again hand Bac the chance of victory. Veteran Milos Glonek shot straight at 'keeper Nemeth - as did Cana's Kostelnik, with Gardosik performing something more natural rather than the moment of glory that was to follow. Stepping up as his sides' eighth penalty taker, the goalkeeper made some of his outfield compatriates look almost amatuerish in comparison, coolly slotting the penalty into the bottom left hand corner.

Cana 3 - Bac 3 (Horky, Marek 2) - Bac win 4-3 on Penalties

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Szijjarto, Mikulec, Albert, Glonek, Meszaros (Replaced Balasz 45), Benko, Svoboda (Replaced Pukalovic 45), Horky*, Lopu (Replaced Patras 45), Marek

retired_brinker317

With a nervy, edgy Cup Tie behind him, Stuart Fairway would have more problems to deal with on Wednesday morning. Albert Balasz' dismissal in only his second appearance of the season would cost the young winger a game suspended on the sidelines, but would also earn him a formal, written warning over his future conduct. As Fairway was at pains to point out when meeting the youngster - right wing is not a position in which Bac have little cover.

Discaplinary worries wouldn't be Fairway's only item of note on the agenda for Wednesday. Just 14 hours after Radoslav Gardosik's winning penalty kick, the Second Round draw was due...

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Bac-Online.sk - Football - Wednesday 3/9/03

'Cup draw sets up Bac for Five away games in a row'

"Well, at least the pitch will get some rest!" - Stuart Fairway's words after learning that his Bac side will face five away matches in a row, taking them up to the end of September. After last night's nervy victory over Cana on penalties, Bac have drawn more potentially tricky opposition - Division Two rivals VTJ Koba Senec . Senec beat Bac 3-1 just a couple of weeks back, and will be confident of a repeat in their own stadium.

After last night's trip to Cana, Bac play three league games in a row over the coming weeks before the Senec tie on the final day of September. Meanwhile, Stuart Fairway has confirmed that Maros Puchner should be fit in time for the Saturday after next's game at Kys. Liekovec, though the game could come too soon for Marian Tomcak ."

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With his players given the weekend off due to International games, Stuart Fairway could sit down and watch his home nation in action. Sven Goran Eriksson's England would travel to Macedonia with two uncapped players, and needing a win to have any chance of usurping Turkey at the top of Group 7, and qualifying automatically.

Unfortunatley, they didn't - an uninspiring 0-0 draw in Skopje combined with Turkey's 2-0 win over Lichtenstein meant that it would be the lottery of the playoffs for England. It was an irony not lost on many of his players - Monday morning's training session full of banter, as well as the usual hard work typical of a small side 'punching above their weight' - according to the media men at least.

One player who certainly had impressed, not just in training but in matches too, was captain Marcel Horky . With Tuesday's 'Bac Today' sports supplement came a deluge of letters prasing the 29-year old defensive midfielder, and after his stunning goal against Cana, it would hardly be a suprise. As ever, there would be a spanner in the works before too long...

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Bac-Online.sk - Football - Wednesday 10/9/03

'Blow for Balasz as Committee extend ban'

'Bac manager Stuart Fairway has blasted the Slovakian FA's Disciplinary Committee after seeing the one match ban of young midfielder Albert Balasz doubled. Balasz, 20, was sent off in the dying seconds of Bac's FA Cup tie against Cana, a game Fairway's side eventually won after penalty kicks.

"Yes, I'm mildly peeved" Fairway told BO.sk. "I can understand the sending off, as can Albert, he's had a written warning and everything was fine, but now for him to be hit with a second game out it's a bit frustrating. It's not good for player or club, and I'll be making my thoughts known to the FA".

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While Balasz' ban may have made local headlines, it would be nothing but chip-paper by Thursday morning.

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Slovakia-Today - Football - Thursday 15/8/03

'Demo Double gives Slovakia Third'

In their penultimate European Championship Qualifyer last night, Slovakia cruised to victory over a Macedonia side who had held England at the weekend. The Slovaks started well, taking the lead on 11 minutes through a Lubomir Meszaros strike, before Macedonia levelled through Pandev on 21. In the second half, Igor Demo's three-minute brace on 50 and 52 put the game beyond reach for the visitors, though Velice Sumulikoski would add make for a tight finish. Though not qualified, the game has secured Slovakia's third place in Group 7 - something which will please National Team coach Ladislav Jurkemik . There is still one final game to play, with Slovakia travelling to Lichtenstein next month.

In Group 7's other game, England thrashed Lichtenstein 5-1, with all five goals coming in the first half. Defender Sol Campbell scored twice, with Micheal Owen, Steven Gerrard and a first goal for James Beattie all contributing to the rout. Lichtenstein pulled one back through Mario Frick in the second half.

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Slovakian papers mentioning England? Fairway thought. Was his work being appreciated, or was - more likely - it just an attempt to preview their next opponents to the Slovak faithful. Certainly their own players expected success after England's easy victory.

With Slovakia already out of the European Championships after earlier results, Fairway hoped a domestic weekend would see his side would be able to take plenty of passionate supporters to Lieskovec. Though similar in size to the home arena at Bac, Lieskovec - one place above Bac in the table, were on the whole a club with a better setup - and Fairway knew his side would need to be on top form to reproduce their results of recent weeks.

REAMOS Kysucky Lieskovec v Bac - League

Unavailable

Marian Tomcak (Injury, Knee - 5 Days)
Albert Balasz (Suspended - 1 of 2)

With loanee defender Maros Puchner fit again, Bac manager Stuart Fairway had a bit of a dilemna. He decided against changing a winning team, instead drafting Puchner onto the bench, at the expense of Peter Marinic - still without game time this season. After just four minutes, he would be wondering why he hadn't made changes - Bac very slow out of the blocks, and Lieskovec took the lead on 4 minutes. A long throw wasn't dealt with at all well, and Peter Spanik darted on to fire home the loose ball. By 18, it was two - Spanik again on target after Trhancik's through ball. With Fairway fuming at the break, three changes for the second game in a row was certainly no suprise. It didn't seem to affect Lieskovec though, and on 51, Tibor Gollian scored in clinical fashion from just inside the box. With their manager practically exploding on the touchline, Bac finally got into gear, and after Benko had put a free kick inches wide, they pulled one back. Peter Svoboda's 58th minute corner was exactly what the doctor ordered, and there to meet it at the near post new signing Robert Patras , scoring with a deft header to claim his first goal in Bac colours. From then on, it was all systems go - Horky saw 2 chances go astray, before Robert Patras' second of the afternoon was ruled out for offside on 77. There would though be no fairytale comeback - Duris' inviting cross into the middle for Lieskovec earning a penalty when sub Puchner tripped Spaniak. The striker, in scintilating form, scored from the spot to claim his hatrick, and put the result beyond any doubt. In all honesty the result had never been in any doubt from the first half, and when Robert Patras scored his second in injury time - a flashing drive from Cisar's intelligent pull-back, it was merely a consolation. The game had been won and lost with a woeful Bac start - and Fairway's disapointment was plain to see.

Kys. Lieskovec 4 - Bac 2 (Patras 2)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Szijjarto, Mikulec, Albert (Replaced Puchner 45), Glonek, Meszaros (Replaced Cisar 45), Benko, Svoboda, Horky*, Lopu (Replaced Patras 45), Marek

Bac Position after Game; 4th

retired_brinker317

With his players called in for extra training on Sunday, Stuart Fairway was glad to have a quiet start to the week. The performance - in the first half at least - against Kys. Lieckovec was pretty grim, and with his side not showing their best qualities for a while, the training was suitably up in intensity as well.

By Thursday, he would have a huge boost. Marian Tomcak , the striker on loan from Inter Bratislava who picked up a knee injury in preseason, was at last fit, and would certainly make the squad for Saturday.

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Bac-Online.sk - Football - Friday 19/9/03

'Defenders to the fore in Injury and Transfer News'

FC Druzstevnik Bac manager Stuart Fairway has launched a bid to further add to his squad, with another English defender possibly on the horizon. Full back Robert Lovegrove is set to sign from Oxford next week, but Fairway has confirmed that the club are in discussions with Farnborough Town with regards to signing Matt Hillyer .

"He's a young lad who seems pretty solid", Fairway told BO.sk. "It's early days yet, but we have had an offer accepted, and I'd like to hope Matt will come to a decision soon. Farnborough have been sensible about the transfer fee, and even though they are in the playoff positions in the Conference and need cover, they realise that at his age, Matt needs regular football, and have let us talk to him as a result".

Meanwhile the news isn't so good for Marian Nincz . Nincz, 21, has not been involved in the Bac first team at all this season, and after twisting his ankle in training yesterday, will be out for around a week. Right-sided utility man Andrej Cisar , who has impressed on recent substitute showings, has also been taken off the transfer list, and appears now to have a part to play this season'

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HFC Humenne v Bac - League

Unavailable

Albert Balasz - Suspended (2 of 2)
Marian Nincz - Injury (Ankle, 1 week)

With one name available again after a long absence, Stuart Fairway resisted the temptation to change both his strikers. Though top scorer for Bac, out of form Ernest Lopu would be given a spot on the bench with Marian Tomcak making that long-awaited return up front. The striker was involved pretty early on too, flicking on a huge Gardosik's goal kick, only for Marian Marek to rashly hammer the ball over the top. At the other end, Radoslaw Gardosik was certainly the busier of the two 'keepers in the first half - denying both Cerna and Bazik in a quiet first half. Immediatley after the break, Bazik's little chip caught sub Maros Puchner - on for an injured Milos Glonek at half time - cold, and Marek Cerna burst into open space behind the defender to fire past Gardosik. For the second week in a row, Bac seemed clueless once they went behind - a Cisar header on the hour their solitary chance of the second half in a generally dire game. The sight of returning striker Tomcak lying prone on the turf after getting an accidental kick on the chest late on - he struggled to complete the game - will also not be welcomed by Fairway.

Humenne 1 - Bac 0

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

Bac Position after Game; 7th

retired_brinker317

Now that is appreciated, I've been looking for a league table for ages - thanks.

retired_brinker317

He would be right to worry about Marian Tomcak . Tomcak, only just back after a knee injury, sustained broken ribs in the late collision, and will miss another month. It never rains but it pours...

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Bac-Online.sk - Football - Tuesday 23/9/03

'Hillyer to sign in January'

'Farnborough Town defender Matt Hillyer will sign for FC Druzstevnik Bac on the 10th of January, manager Stuart Fairway announced this morning. Hillyer, 21, is a Central defender and was born in Aldershot. After playing local league football, he signed for Farnborough Town in the summer, but is yet to make his senior debut.

He signs on a free on the same day as Marian Solotruck joins from Licartovce.

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Slovakia-Today - Football - Thursday 24/9/03

'Weiss hails impressive Petrzalka after UEFA draw'

' FC Artmedia Petrzalka manager Vladimir Weiss has hailed his side as heroes after they held Turkish side Trabzonspor to a 1-1 draw in Bratislava. Mustafa Tarik put the visitors ahead with a penalty on 7 minutes, before Lubomir Orabinec levelled for Petrzalka on 40.

In tricky conditions, against quality opposition, Weiss obviously feels his side have more than a fighting chance in the second leg. "Obviously we didn't want to concede the away goal, but if we can get at Trabzonspor in the Second Leg, there's no reason why we shouldn't progress".

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Though they'd have to wait another few months for Matt Hillyer to arrive, Bac supporters could welcome their first new English signing on Friday morning. Fullback Robert Lovegrove arrived to go straight into training - and, according to Fairway, straight into the squad for Saturday.

FC Rimavska Sobota v Bac - League

Unavailable

Marian Tomcak - Injury (Chest, 3 weeks)

The penultimate of their five-away game run, Bac went into the trip to the League leaders with three changes to the side who limped to defeat last week. New signing Robert Lovegrove, Cisar and Lopu swapped places with Szijjarto, Meszaros and the injured Tomcak respectivley. After a slow start, Bac took the lead with a move started by the new man. Robert Lovegrove's throw-in caught the Sobuta defence napping, and Cisar raced into the box to cross for Marian Marek to make it 1-0 on 13 minutes. Sobota struggled after falling behind, and on 20, Ernest Lopu should have done better after picking up a chipped pass from Svobota, instead hitting the post with a shot from the edge of the box. With Glonek and Albert performing wonders in defence for Bac, Rim. Sobota needed until the 29th minute to get their first shot on target - a powerful Pinte effort well saved by Gardosik. Immediatley after the interval though he would hit the back of the net. On 49 Stas got in between two defenders on the left, crossing well for Atilla Pinte to notch up his sixth of a fine season. The goal raised the stakes, and Sobota stepped up their game - Bac thankful to Milos Glonek for a late clearance on 68, before the busy Pisar cracked a powerful drive straight at Gardoisk. It would take one - or perhaps three - pieces of genius to win it. A Bac throw on half way was swept towards the area by Sobota - before Maros Puchner darted in to clear. His superb, angled chip to the left hand side straight into space in front of Vlastimil Benko. His lung-busting, 35 yard run ended in a fine cross for Robert Patras to hammer a fearsome drive past home 'keeper Branislav Benko (No relation) - a fitting end to a fine game. There would be a late scare for Bac - Milos Glonek again called to cut out a dangerous cross in injury time - but the win will be a huge relief to Bac manager Fairway - and Sobota's first defeat of the league season.

Rim. Sobota 1 - Bac 2 (Marek, Patras)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Mikulec, Albert (Replaced Puchner 45), Glonek, Cisar, Benko, Svoboda (Replaced Meszaros 79), Horky*, Lopu, Marek (Replaced Patras 79)

Bac Position after Game; 10th

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Rim. Sobota | | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 4 | +15 | 23 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Licartovce | | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 15 | 11 | +4 | 18 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Humenne | | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 10 | +5 | 17 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Kys. Lieskovec | | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 16 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Kosice | | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 14 | 10 | +4 | 16 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | BAC | | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 20 | 14 | +6 | 16 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Rapid Bratislava | | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 15 | 14 | +1 | 14 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Dun. Streda | | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 15 | -1 | 14 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Presov | | 10 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 14 | 10 | +4 | 13 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Prievidza | | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 11 | 14 | -3 | 12 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Senica | | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 14 | -4 | 12 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Nitra | | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 14 | -2 | 12 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Senec | | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 15 | -4 | 12 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Duslo Sala | | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 15 | -4 | 11 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Vranov | | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 12 | -4 | 11 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Podbrezova | | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 24 | -17 | 5 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_amyslack

This is ace d_s :thup:

retired_brinker317

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Slovakia-Today - Football - Sunday 28/9/03

'Kuna goes as Podbrezova become first to sack boss'

'With just 10 games of the Division Two season played, FK Zeleziarne Podbrezova have sacked manager Ladislav Kuna after their awful start to the season. Podbrezova, 5/2 for the Second Division title at the start of the season, have won just once - on the opening day - and look in real trouble.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

After finally regaining their form in the league, Bac would have the Cup to concentrate on in midweek. After their edgy draw, followed by a win on penalties against FK Cana, a tie against fellow Second Division outfit Senec would inevitably be a big ask.

VTJ Koba Senec v Bac - Slovakian FA Cup Second Round

Unavailable

Marian Tomcak - Injured (Chest, 2 Weeks)

With his side back to winning ways at last Bac manager Stuart Fairway would make no changes for his sides' Second Round FA Cup tie. Perhaps crucially, given their shaky recent form, it would also be the last of Bac's five away games in succession. His side would - again - begin well, and take the lead on 10 minutes. Lopu's deflected cross fell for the ever-improving Andrej Cisar , who's half-volley flashed into the corner with 'keeper Kakas easily beaten. With Senec not in the game, Bac pushed up, but on 35 should have gone behind. A quick counter from Senec - their first real forward move of the game - ended in only a weak Roznik header. The home side would step up a gear at the start of the second half, and only Glonek's clearance from Iskra kept the visitors ahead on 54. Two minutes later it was 2-0 - a fine Benko corner flicked in by Marian Marek at the near post. 14 minutes later, it would be 2-1 - Senec finally seeming to get out of second gear, and earning a corner. Sendecky's far-post effort was headed back by Bella, before Robert Lovegrove got a boot out to block. Though the young defender's efforts were certainly valid, his teammates were slower off the mark, and Vladimir Rostik lunged to pull the scores closer. As so often happens, one good thing quickly followed another, and on 77, Bella's cross was met by Martin Gajdos, powerfully heading the ball beyond 'keeper Gardosik. From then on, it was 'Bacs' to the wall stuff - and a second penalty shoot-out. Again Bac's opposition would take first, and as with the Cana game, scored first - this time, through Sykora. Marek again missed the second kick for Bac, before Gajdos' goal made it 2-0 to Senec. Lopu's miss continued the misery for Bac, before Bella's kick thumped the post for Senec. Tomas Albert then - at last - scored for Bac, before Sendecky's blast flew over the bar for the home side. Bac again scored their kick, Mikulec slotting home with ease, before Halahija's shot crashed into the post for Cisar's kick to give Bac the win. An earlier scorer in the game itself, Cisar put his kick straight at 'keeper Kakas. Yet another Senec miss - this time Majernik was followed by Robert Lovegrove's equally poor miss for the visitors. With fans of both sides becoming frustrated, even the neutrals were willing a quick end - which, when Senec's Roznik missed, they would get the chance to see. After five wasted kicks Bac's Vlastimil Benko cracked the ball home from 12 yards - no doubt giving some of his teammates a huge sigh of relief.

Senec 2 - Bac 2 (Cisar, Marek) - Bac win 2-3 on Penalties

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Mikulec, Albert, Glonek, Cisar, Benko, Svoboda (Replaced Pukalovic 45), Horky*, Lopu, Marek