retired_brinker317

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by BobBev:
This is ace d_s :thup:<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well talk about timing :o - Cheers

retired_adslady

Top read glory hunter :thup:

retired_brinker317

Glory hunter eh? - we'll see - cheers.

With a second, tiring, edgy Cup victory on penalties, Stuart Fairway came in on Wednesday morning to some bad news. Fitness tests by physio Martin Suchy had revealed two problems - Robert Lovegrove and Vlastimil Benko both suffering knocks. Young Lovegrove, with a couple of impressive performances under his belt after signing for Bac in late September would be out for around 6 days with a stubbed toe, whilst winning penalty taker Benko's knock was slightly more severe - the winger out for 2 weeks with a slight groin strain.

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Bac-Online.sk - Football - Wednesday 1/10/03

'Fairway pleased with Quarter-Final Draw'

"You've obviously got to be happy with drawing a team in the same league as yours at this stage" was all Bac manager Stuart Fairway would say after seeing his side draw SH Senica in the FA Cup Quarter Finals.

Senica - who ironically will travel to Bac for a league game on the Saturday before the First Leg, currently lie 11th in Division Two, with indifferent form - and results - from their 10 league games so far.

Meanwhile, Fairway has also taken time out to heap praise on Andrej Cisar . "Since I took Andrej off the transfer list, he's really shone when given the chance - and thoroughly deserved his goal last night" he said.

The right-sided utility man, 23, has been the subject of a real villan to hero story this season - transfer listed when Fairway arrived, some impressive substitute performances have seen him make the right wing spot his own with some scintillating runs and crosses in recent weeks.'

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Friday morning, and the standard congratulatory fax flew out the door at Bac - Fairway congratulating the new manager of bottom of the league FK Zeleziarne Podbrezova - Dzimis Bekakis appointed at the age of 36, the Czech taking up his first job in club football.

Bac v Tatran Presov - League

Unavailable

Marian Tomcak - Injured (Chest, 2 Weeks)
Vlastimil Benko - Injured (Groin, 1 Week)
Robert Lovegrove - Injured (Toe, 2 Days)

With a home game at last, Bac manager Stuart Fairway would have to choose from his most injury-hit squad of the season. With no Lovegrove, Szijjarto would return to Right Back, while Tamas Nagy stepped in for his first start on the left of midfield - other than that, as you were. It would stay that way for approximatley two minutes, before Bac were forced into a change - Tomas Albert going off injured, to be replaced by Puchner. By the 14th minute Bac were falling apart - Ernest Lopu sent off with less than a fifth of the match gone. The striker, not known for his firey temprament, went after two bookable offences, all in the same minute - after conceding a free kick for a foul on Kovalik, Lopu wouldn't keep quiet, and after he mouthed off at referee Chladek for the third time, he was gone. Fairway hastily reorganised his side as the still-moaning Lopu was escorted down the players tunnel - leaving Marek as a solitary striker in a 4-4-1 formation. They inevitably struggled to adapt - Marek forced to do the job of two men - and Presov won more and more possesion, coming close through Dic and Viazenko before the half time interval. After the break the game stagnated - Presov getting frustrated, and Bac having little chance to do anything with the ball in the final third. Just as a draw looked inevitable, Bac won a free kick on the edge of the area. In the 87th minute, with only the fourth real chance of the game, Albert Balasz took it shot, confusing the Presov defence - and in the process, setting up Andrej Cisar for a low, drilled shot into the far corner of the net. While the 10 men had never looked comfortable - and the goal had more than a slice of luck - it did steel the Bac resolve, and two minutes later Balasz was the hero again, turning a Nagy overhit cross back into the middle - Marian Marek's simple, near-post header a just reward for his tireless running since early in the first half. Presov were never going to come back, and the 10 men held on for a thoroughly impressive, professional victory against all the odds.

Bac 2 - Presov 0 (Cisar, Marek)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Szijjarto (Replaced Balasz 66), Mikulec, Albert (Replaced Puchner 4), Glonek, Cisar,

Nagy, Svoboda, Horky*, Lopu, Marek

Bac Position after Game; 3rd

retired_brinker317

Bac had left it late, but had secured another win - but Ernest Lopu's One-game ban would be at the back of Stuart Fairway's mind all week. The striker would miss the crucial league game against Seniec - the prelude to the two FA Cup Quarter Finals against the same team.

Monday though would see a return to training for Robert Lovegrove . The young full-back, impressive since his arrival from Oxford, would be competing for a place in the squad for Saturday week.

Unfortunatley, Lopu's ban wouldn't be the only blow to the Bac machine. Albert Balacz picked up an injury in Thursday's training session - the young winger, who's poor form in the early part of the season had been redeemed somewhat with a crucial part in both goals on Saturday - had picked up a gashed leg, and would be out for around a week.

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Slovakia-Today - Football - Sunday 12/10/03

'Qualifying Campaign ends in easy win'

'Slovakia's ultimately unsuccessful qualifying campaign for Euro 2004 came to an end yesterday with a 3-1 victory over Lichtenstein in Vaduz. The tiny Rhinepark Stadion saw a goal in the first minute, as Slovakia never let their opponents settle down. In-form Igor Demo of Borrusia Monchengladbach scored his sixth international goal in his 20th cap with just 47 seconds on the clock. It was soon followed by a Miroslav Karhan strike on 22, before Robert Vittek wrapped up the win with a third on 32.

Although Lichtenstien's Mario Frick pulled a goal back a minute later on 33, Slovakia never looked in any danger, and restricted their opponents to just two shots all game. Elsewhere in Group Seven England crashed 2-0 away in Turkey, a game played without any English supporters in response to security concerns. Nihat's brace was enough to guide the Turks comfortably through, while England will have to be content with a Playoff game over two legs against old sparring partners Poland.

European Championships Playoff Draw;

Slovenia v Russia
Norway v Wales
Spain v Belgium
Poland v England
Holland v Scotland

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

So it was not to be for Fairway's England. A tricky tie against Poland would await - but he would have other games on his mind. This time, his country would have to do without his support in front of the TV. This time - his club would need him where it mattered - on the bench.

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Slovakia-Today - Football - Thursday 16/10/03

'Cenk ends Slovak Euro Dream'

"After holding Trabzonspor for 49 minutes of their UEFA Cup First Round, Second Leg tie, the FC Artmedia Petrzalka dream - and with it, a dream for the whole of Slovakia - died. Kilic Cenk's strike early in the second half killed off Slovakia's last representative in a European Club Competition this season. Coming, as it does, 4 days after the National Team's faliure to qualify for Euro 2004, Slovakian teams now have to wait another year before pitting themselves against Europe's finest.

Petrzalka's young full back, Slovakian Under 21 defender Jan Durica though has refused to be disheartened. "It is important for all of Slovakia that we get a club side doing well on the international stage" he said. "It can only help the national team, and increase the profile of our league. We see kids wearing shirts from Italian, English, Spanish and German teams - it would be good to see them wearing Slovakian shirts, and pretending to be players like Igor Demo, Robert Vittek and the like instead of Beckham, Raul and Del Piero".

Perhaps Durica is right - perhaps all of Slovakia needs to hope for a team to carry the flag - this year, however, it will not be Petrzalka".

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Friday morning - and a welcome return to training for two of his better players. Fairway himself supervised the fitness tests of Marian Tomcak and Vlastimil Benko - knowing that the two players would have vital parts to play in his dream of snatching the Slovakian Cup from one of the big boys. First, they would play 'the one before' - Saturday brings a return to league action.

Bac v SH Senica - League

Unavailable

Albert Balacz - Injured (Leg, 1 Day)
Ernest Lopu - Suspended (1 of 1)

With no Lopu and the return of Benko and Tomcak, Fairway let the team pick itself - three changes, with Lovegrove, Benko and Tomcak all in at the expense of Szijjarto, Nagy and the suspended Lopu respectivley. With suprisingly dry weather for the time of year in Bac, Fairway also hoped that the better condition of the pitch would ensure no more injury problems for his side - for a few weeks at least. Keen to get back into the swing of things, Marian Tomcak put himself about early on, and sprung the Senica offside trap on 4 minutes, only to fire wide under pressure from the recovering defence. It would set the tone for the match - Petras shooting weakly, and straight at Gardosik, in Seniec's best chance of the first half, before Vladimir Cifranic's trip on Bac's new golden boy Cisar on 42 caused audible worry amongst the home support. He would return for the second half - but a second trip on 65 brought the end of his game, with a purely precautionary change for Meszaros. That support had been bolstered - as Bac's league position improved, so did their support - and when the attendance of 3063 was announced late in a dull, listless second half, Bac would at least be able to take the highest attendance of the season from the game - as well as a point. A quiet game had been expected by many - the calm before the Cup tie storm - with both sides sounding each other out, doing a bit of scouting, and spotting weaknesses in the first hand. The prelude was over almost before it began - a point, but what else had both managers gained?

Bac 0 - Seniec 0

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Mikulec, Albert, Glonek, Cisar (Replaced Meszaros 65), Benko, Svoboda, Horky*, Tomcak, Marek

Bac Position after Game; 3rd

retired_brinker317

I'm working a few posts' in advance, so the next league table won't be for a little while. Many thanks, your support is appreciated

I don't suppose you've found an official Bac website? - I'd love to buy a replica shirt

With Marian Tomcak's performance against Seniec solid, if unspectacular, and the return of Ernest Lopu from suspension, Fairway would have a dilemna for the biggest game of his managerial career to date. It would come away from home - Senica's 10000 capacity arena the venue for the First Leg. As it turned out, Fairway would have nobody unavailable for the game - nobody wanted to miss this.

SH Senica v Bac - Slovakian FA Cup Quarter Final - First Leg

Having his full squad to choose from was merely a distraction. Ever since the final whistle on Saturday, Fairway knew that he would be making just one change to his side - namely bringing back Lopu at the expense of Tomcak. With his fitness still a doubt after two major injuries this season, he - along with Robert Patras, Bac's fourth striker - would be on the bench, as would fit-again Albert Balasz. The home side started brightly, and on four minutes, Bac needed a Robert Lovegrove header to clear up after a decieving long ball forward. The game swung though on the 10th minute - and when Cisar broke free on the right, Vlastimil Benko arrived on time to fire his first senior goal for Bac at the far post, squeezing the ball into the far corner. Two minutes later, it was 2-0 - with Fairway's striking gamble paying off. After picking up a pass from Benko, Marian Marek's chipped through ball initially looked to be too far ahead of Ernest Lopu - only for the striker to get a foot onto it and divert the ball past 'keeper Hodal into the bottom right hand corner. After a pulsating start, Bac would recieve a blow on 16 - midfielder Peter Svoboda taken off, obviously in some discomfort, after a heavy challenge - his replacement, loanee midfielder Pukalovic. With Senica shellshocked, Pukalovic nearly made himself an instant hero - his scorching volley grazing the bar on 28. As it was another midfielder, Cisar, would provide the neat pass for Ernest Lopu to scramble home the third just seven minutes later. His effort - his second of the game - practically killed the tie, and the home side - who returned to a cocophony of boos after the break - would create just one chance all game. After all the build-up - Senica were woeful - and Fairway leads his Bac side into the second - home - leg with one foot firmly in the Semis.

Senica 0 - Bac 3 (Benko, Lopu 2)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Mikulec, Albert, Glonek, Cisar (Replaced Balasz 45), Benko, Svoboda (Replaced Pukalovic 16), Horky*, Lopu, Marek

retired_brinker317

Wednesday morning - and the fall-out from the 'Battle of Senica'. Though Peter Svoboda's knock - a thigh strain - wasn't as bad as first thought, his replacement, Jozef Pukalovic would be out of training for around 5 days after picking up a shoulder knock late on. While both could be back in time for the second leg, Fairway would have to do without Pavol Mikulec for that game - the full back banned for a game after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season.

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Bac-Online.sk - Football - Thursday 28/10/03

'Fairway - We'll still need to perform'

'Though his side go in to today's Slovakian Cup quarter-final with a 3-0 lead from the first leg, Bac manager Stuart Fairway has warned that they will still need to be on top of their game in tonight's second game.

"They didn't perform as well as they could last week, and we had some luck" he said. "It'll be a different story tonight - I want to get into the Semi's, and to do that, we're going to have to make sure we put on a good showing tonight. The Semi's aren't till the New Year, so once we've got this game out of the way, it'll be back to the league - but hopefully we'll be printing Cup tickets again come April!"

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bac v SH Senica - Slovakian FA Cup Quarter Final - Second Leg

Unavailable

Pavol Mikulec - Suspended (1 of 1)

With only one player unavailable, Bac boss Fairway would make just one change - the suspended Mikulec left out with an out of position Tamas Nagy brought in - as his only other choice for a player who could possibly perform on the left of defence. For all his public posturing, Fairway would go into the second leg knowing that his side had the game practically wrapped up. Senica were awful in the first leg - and surely they wouldn't be able to hit three at the Bac-Stadion? Early on, it seemed as if they wouldn't - Horky having a fizzer fly just over on 4 minutes before Bac took the lead on 22. The goal came in traditional style - Benko's cross fired at the keeper by Marian Marek, only for Ernest Lopu to roll the rebound into an unguarded net. Seniec would have a chance to level on 25 - Hejcik tripped by Nagy, only for Vladimir Cifranic to fire the free kick straight into 'keeper Gardosik's arms. Before long it would be 2-0 on the night, 5-0 on aggregate and goodnight Seniec - Robert Lovegrove's cross inadvertently flicked on by Cifranic for Ernest Lopu to fire home his second of the game on 32. The visitors' best chance of the first half came in injury time - a corner, taken by Cmilansky and fired at goal by Richard Hejcik. After Gardosik had blocked his initial shot, it took a brave challenge by Tomas Albert to deny the rebound, and an almost certain goal. After the break Bac continued to pile on the pressure, and on 59 minutes, had the chance for a third. Another jinking run from the impressive Cisar brought a Cifranic trip, and while Petr Cmilanksy was booked for his protests, Tamas Nagy quietly stepped up to score his first goal in a Bac shirt. While plain saling from then on, Senica 'keeper Hodal was by far the busier of the two stoppers, denying Ernest Lopu his hatrick. It would be their strikers denied a consolation of any kind late on - Gardosik closing down Molnar well deep into injury time - Bac in the Semi's, and it was just as easy as Fairway had (publically at least) denied it would be.

Bac 3 - Senica 0 (Lopu 2, Nagy) - Bac win 6-0 on aggregate

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

retired_brinker317

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Bac-Online.sk - Football - Wednesday 29/10/03

'Bottom club for Bac in Semis'

' FC Druzstevnik Bac have drawn FK Zeleziarne Podbrezova in the Slovakian FA Cup Semi Final. Podbrezova currently lie bottom of the Second Division, but did hold Bac 2-2 back in August, and have improved since new manager Dzimis Bekakis took charge at the start of October.

Podbrezova beat Division One side Dukla Banska Bystrica on penalties after a 1-1 Aggregate draw in the Quarter Finals. The game, to be played over 2 Legs, will be played in April, with the final to follow on Tuesday 8th May, should, as expected by the bookmakers, Bac progress.'

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With Saturday off after their Cup exploits, it would be Sunday before Bac were next in league action.

HFK Prievidza v Bac - League

With the return of the suspended Mikulec, Stuart Fairway would - for only the second time this season - be able to choose from his full squad for the trip to third-bottom Prievidza. Coming off the back of two 3-0 victories, Fairway would bring the loanee defender back into the fray - Nagy, despite his clinical penalty, left out all together. On a sticky, muddy pitch - and with a testing wind blowing across it - Bac struggled early on, with their hosts obviously used to the conditions. It took just two minutes for this pressure to be converted into a goal - Tomas Bohacik on target after a glorious through-ball from Cernak. 2 minutes later it could have been much worse for the visitors - Keller's strike ruled out for a late offside call, with Bac unable to find their feet on a tricky surface. It wouldn't take long though - with conditions on the flanks not nearly as bad as in the mudbath middle, Vladislav Benko picked up on a Mikulec throw, beat Papaj and crossed for Ernest Lopu to level on 8 minutes. Despite the leveller, Prievidza still had the better of the first half - Gardosik denying Bohacik and Papaj, while Zimmer and Papaj both blazed over. On 51 the balance would swing again, with Bac taking the lead for the first time. Cisar's pace again caused problems, with his hopeful cross ending in a push on Lopu. With no Nagy, Peter Svoboda strolled up to take the penalty, coolly and calmly despatching it into the bottom left hand corner with no fuss. The lead lasted all of five minutes - great link up play between Milkas and Peter Cernek leading to a chance for the latter to bury the ball past Gardosik and draw the scores level. From then on Bac were up against it - Bohaick seeing one disallowed for a foul in the buildup, before defensive play from both sides killed the game as a spectacle.

Prievidza 2 - Bac 2 (Lopu, Svoboda)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Mikulec, Albert, Glonek (Replaced 45 for Puchner), Cisar, Benko, Svoboda, Horky*, Lopu (Replaced 83 for Patras) , Marek (Replaced 45 for Tomcak)

Bac Position after Game; 5th

retired_brinker317

With another slow news week, Fairway would concentrate on getting his players used to the mud. Though a 3-month winter break would be on the horizon - just two games left until 'cease of hostilities' until late February.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>

Bac-Online.sk - Football - Friday 7/11/03

'Fairway keen to offload reserves'

'Bac manager Stuart Fairway has admitted that he is keen to lose four players from the clubs' books. Ivan Bugar, Arnold Bodrogy, Andrej Bombiak and Marian Nincz have all been transfer listed since the start of the season, and it seems the Englishman now wants rid for good.

"We've taken the decision - with the players' permission obviously - to recirculate their details to all Division Two clubs" he said. "It's best for the club, and the players - it does nobody any good to see them sit in the Under 19 squad, not playing, and now maybe they'll have the chance of success elsewhere"

Fairway added to BO.sk that he hopes all four players are picked up in the January transfer window, and will not be demanding a fee of any kind for any of them'

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Bac v 1. FC Kosice - League

Despite managing in their league, it was six years since Stuart Fairway had last seen FC Kosice - on that night, they lost 3-0 to a certain Manchester United at Old Trafford, in a grim Champions League campaign for the Slovaks. While Bac have no Teddy Sheringham or Andy Cole, both of whom scored on that night, they do have Ernest Lopu - Division Two's joint top scorer with 10. On a bitterly cold afternoon - it's no wonder there's a break - a slow start stagnated into a pretty poor first half, with only a couple of long range Lopu efforts to rouse some supporters from their slumbers. In fact, the only real incident of note was an unfortunate one - Kosice's Roman Orsula going off after a collision with Lovegrove saw him overstretch, and pick up a thigh injury. The second half would only see more of the same - Tomas Albert a rock in the Bac defence, with neither side seeming keen enough to really push on for a winner. The point a fair reflection on both teams' endeavours.

Bac 0 - Kosice 0

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

Bac Position after Game; 6th

retired_brinker317

With his Fax Machine practically exploding on Monday morning, Fairway would have the unenviable task of telling messers Bugar, Bodrogy, Nincz and Bombiak that no clubs desired their services. The four - all contracted to Bac until the summer of 2005 - would have to work especially hard in training to get themselves back into contention.

After a quiet week, Fairway would also have the chance to watch England on Saturday. With the final game before the Winter Break - away at Nitra - coming on the 22nd, Bac would have a Saturday off, enabling Fairway to cheer his country on in their two playoff games.

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www.thesun.co.uk - Saturday 15/11/03 6.23 P.M

'Beattie to the Rescue in Poland mudbath'

"In conditions more suited to England's World Cup winning Rugby team than their still-to-qualify for European Championships footballers, James Beattie's 14th minute Equaliser got the away goal England so desperatley wanted in Poland.

With the Chorzow pitch cutting up from the start, the home nation shocked England after just 4 minutes - Bartosz Karwan joining Jan Tomaszewski in the ranks of England's 'Poles to remember'. The winger, 27, pounced after a corner seemed to evade every English body, giving Paul Robinson no chance at the near post. 10 minutes later though things were all square - James Beattie's second England goal coming after Micheal Owen's cross.

England were anonymous in a poor second half, with Owen, Gerrard and Ferdinand all replaced after poor individual showings. Sven Goran Eriksson's side go into the Second Leg on Wednesday at the Stadium of Light with the advantage - a 0-0 draw would see them through on Away Goals - but it's hardly the result Eriksson - or England - expected."

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With training quiet and committed - Fairway's next worry would again be England. He would get the result he had hoped for.

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www.thesun.co.uk - Wednesday 19/11/03 10.03 P.M

'Beat leads to Poland Surrender'

" James Beattie's second goal in as many England games was enough to send Sven-Goran Eriksson's team to Portugal for Euro 2004 tonight after breaking spirited Polish resistance.

Beattie opened the scoring on 47 minutes, powering home an Ashley Cole corner with a bullet header at the near post. With Poland applying themselves, but failing to create, a second goal for England was always going to be enough, and after some close chances, Darius Vassell scored in the 85th minute to seal the win.

England went into the game with Chris Kirkland in goal - Paul Robinson left out after recieving some critiscm for his performance in Saturday's first leg. Despite the win, it was never truly convincing - and improved performances will be needed in the friendlies against Tunisia and Paraguay before the European Championships to improve confidence"

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After the international fun and games, there would be one more game before Fairway's own continetial crossing - back to England for a week's much-needed holiday.

FC Nitra v Bac - League

Unavailable

Peter Kostolani - Inilegible (On Loan from Nitra)

With no injury or suspension worries, Bac manager Stuart Fairway would keep the same team for their final game of 2003. There would be an enforced change on the bench - Loanee goalkeeper Peter Kostolani not permitted to play against his employers under the terms of his loan deal - Fairway calling young Adrian Porszek into the first team squad for the first time this season. After a slow start Bac were forced into a change on 15 - Cisar off after picking up a knock in a challenge with Dasko. On 33 Bac took the lead, with Vlastimil Benko's cross taking a somehwat fortunate deflection off Marian Marek - allowing Ernest Lopu to tap home the loose ball for his 15th competitive goal of the season. 2 minutes later Bac would score again - Ernest Lopu drawing two saves from the 'keeper, before hitting the bar from a very acute angle. As the ball dropped into the area Marian Marek reacted quickest to prod home. 2-0 up and cruising at the break, but Nitra came out for the second half in no mood for a thumping. On 48 they could have pulled one back - Uhrick's header hacked off the line by Robert Lovegrove, the young Englishman making up for failing to pick up the striker in the first place when the ball came in. 16 minutes later, after almost constant pressure, they went one better - a brilliant Pavol Kyselica volley from fully 30 yards stretching Gardosik to the limit, only for Marian Bellak to stab home the rebound. For a moment it looked as if the home team's goal would swing the game - some desperate defending from Bac keeping the status quo. On 77 though all thoughts of a comeback would be thrown out the window - Peter Svoboda stealing on to a loose ball in midfield, before running 20 yards and sliding the perfect pass into Marian Marek's path. Marek took the ball in his stride before rifling it into the top corner, scoring easily the pick of the match. Nitra refused to lie down, and on 84, Hrncar knocked down a corner for Marek Bubenko to fire past the despairing Gardosik into the corner. Hopes of a late comeback would - for the second time - be thwarted. Ernest Lopu made it four for Bac, and two for himself on 86, nodding home Albert Balasz' curling cross. There would be a late chance for Lopu to clinch a hatrick - the striker rushing his injury-time shot - but Bac will head into the Winter break off the back of a comfortable win.

Nitra 2 - Bac 4 (Lopu 2, Marek 2)

Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Mikulec, Albert (Replaced Puchner 45), Glonek, Cisar (Replaced Balasz 16), Benko, Svoboda, Horky*, Lopu, Marek

Bac Position after Game; 5th

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Rim. Sobota | | 15 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 23 | 9 | +14 | 28 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Licartovce | | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 26 | 20 | +6 | 25 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Kys. Lieskovec | | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 27 | 24 | +3 | 25 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Humenne | | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 22 | 15 | +7 | 25 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | BAC | | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 28 | 18 | +10 | 25 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Kosice | | 15 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 20 | 11 | +9 | 24 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Senec | | 15 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 17 | 19 | -2 | 22 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Duslo Sala | | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 16 | +3 | 22 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Dun. Streda | | 15 | 6 | 3 | 6 | 20 | 23 | -3 | 21 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Prievidza | | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 21 | 23 | -2 | 19 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Nitra | | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 21 | -3 | 19 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Rapid Bratislava | | 15 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 21 | 24 | -3 | 18 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Senica | | 15 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 16 | -4 | 18 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Presov | | 15 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 16 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Vranov | | 15 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 11 | 25 | -14 | 11 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Podbrezova | | 15 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 11 | 32 | -21 | 11 | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

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Slovakia-Today - Football - Sunday 23/11/03

'Two sacked before Winter Break'

"As Slovakian Football broke up for Christmas yesterday two managers recieved their marching orders. FC Artmedia Petrzalka and HFK Prievidza have sacked managers Vladimir Weiss and Viliam Ilko respectivley.

Weiss pays the price for a disapointing campaign despite some impressive results in the UEFA Cup, whilst Division Two Prievidza would have expected to be in a higher position than 10th at the start of the season. Both clubs will hope to tie up a new manager in the near future, giving them time to assess their new squads before January's Transfer Window."

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With that, Fairway packed his suitcase, told his secretary to divert all calls, and packed himself off home. 1 week quickly turned to 2, which turned into 3. Eventually, it was agreed that Fairway would return after Christmas - arriving back in Slovakia on December 28th.

retired_brinker317

Thanks for the continued support


Chapter 2 - Down with the Decorations, or Up for the Cup?

Arriving back at his desk after a relaxing - and much needed - break, Fairway checked through the list of notes that had been made in his absence, by assistant Tibor Nemeth. Anything that he needed to know team-wise had been communicated, but Nemeth - perhaps wisely - thought it inappropriate to bother his holidaying superior with some more general goings on from Slovak football.

Fairway would also bring somebody back with him. Though officially not to join the club until January 10th, John Durnin came back to Slovakia after signing from English side Accrington Stanley as a Player/Coach. Meanwhile, in Slovakia...

<UL TYPE=SQUARE>

<LI> Zdenek Michalek appointed manager of HFK Prievidza (29/11/03)

<LI> Marian Solotruk, set to sign for Bac in January, claims Goal of the Month for November with a 35-yard screamer.
<LI> FC Artmedia Petrzalka appointed Karol Dobias as manager (6/12/03)

<LI> Carlos Quizeroz appointed Manager of Portugese National Team

<LI> Felipao appointed as Brazil manager

<LI> Senec sack Stefan Horny and appoint Jaroslav Jurkovic as his replacement

</UL>

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Bac-Online.sk - Football - Saturday 10/1/04

'Three in as Transfer Window opens'

' FC Druzstevnik Bac manager Stuart Fairway today welcomes three new signings, all prearranged, with two Englishmen and a Slovak joining the club.

Marian Solotruk is a left-footed central midfielder with an eye for goal - his spectacular strike for former side Licartovce taking the November Goal of the Month award for Division Two.

http://www.slovakfutball.com/obpresov.htm - Solotruk - Fourth from Left - in the colours of a former club.

Scoring a goal of the month is probably behind John Durnin - the 38-year old, who has said he plans to retire from playing at the end of the season, has signed as a Player/Coach. Completing the trio, young Farnborough defender Matt Hillyer is at the opposite end of his career. 21, the centre-half joins without ever having started a game in professional football in England.

Bac fans will get their first chance to see all three new signings in a specially-arranged friendly against Lokomotiva Kosice , at the Bac Stadion on Wednesday 18th February, a week before the league campaign kicks off again at home to Licartovce.

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While the new players had settled in well, Fairway decided to call them back early from their own winter break. Though no other clubs would be playing friendlies, he had been worried by the lack of sharpness shown in training, and - despite the reservations of Assitant Nemeth - be giving as many of his first choice players as possible a run out against Non-Leaguers Lokaomotiva.

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Slovakia-Today - Football - Thursday 2/2/04

'Fairway rejects 'derisory' Svoboda offer'

Second Division FC Druzstevnik Bac , who have suprised many this season under English manager Stuart Fairway have rejected an offer for midfielder Peter Svoboda . The 23-year old, a creative force for Bac this season, was the subject of a bid from Ruzomberok, currently 8th in Division One.

"We rejected a laughable, derisory offer for Peter yesterday" Fairway confirmed. "He's worth a lot more to us than the minimal £1000 they offered - and though we would have to sell if there was another £99000 on top, for now, Peter stays here."

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With the long winter break nearly at an end, Fairway hoped that his side would be fit and ready to go. As ever, the Gods of football would have other ideas.

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Bac-Online.sk - Football - Monday 16/2/04

'Tomcak, Pukalovic injury worries for Fairway'

"Bac manager Stuart Fairway has two injury doubts going into a warm-up freindly on Wednesday ahead of the resumption of the League in just over a weeks time. Injury-prone striker Marian Tomcak , on loan from Inter Bratislava, has fractured a rib in training, and will be out for around a month.

Meanwhile, midfielder Jozef Pukalovic , another loanee from Slovan Bratislava, will be out for 2 weeks with a groin strain. "Obviously it's a big blow" said Fairway. "But it's a big chance for Marian Solotruk, one of the new lads, who'll obviously want to sieze his opportunity. I know Johnny Durnin will be looking for his boots as well!"

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Bac v Lokomotiva Kosice - Friendly

Unavailable

Jozef Pukalovic - Injured (Groin - 2 Weeks)
Marian Tomcak - Injured (Chest - 4 Weeks)

With all three January signings promised a full 90 minutes, Fairway's side had a distinctly mixed look to it - two new midfielders, a new central defender, and in Robert Patras, a first start for Bac's last signing. There would be more to the game than match practice for the ring-rusty players and a chance for the new boys to show their stuff - it would be an ideal chance for Fairway to see how the pitch, unprotected over the winter, would stand up to action again. As had been hoped, it would be an easy win - Ernest Lopu and Robert Patras both scoring close-range efforts early in the first half. As for the new signings, all three made a positive impression - Solotruk coming close to replicating his thunderous effort for Licartovce in the first half, veteran Durnin's passion and drive showing to everyone despite the language barrier, and Matt Hillyer shining at the back - and picking up a bottle of finest Slovakian wine for his efforts as a Man of the Match award.

Bac 2 - Lokomotiva 0