displaced_seagull Posted January 7, 2004 Author Share Posted January 7, 2004 And after a short interlude... Chapter 5 - Boys Against Men? If he thought that it would be a quiet start to the summer at least, Stuart Fairway would be sadly mistaken. As early as the 8th of June - 4 Days after their league season had ended with victory over Rapid, Rastislav Tomovcik - a Bosman signing who has been unable to make an appearance so far - announcing his plans to retire in July. It would be a big blow for Fairway - the striker signed with an eye for the top flight, but his mind appeared made up. The news wasn't too good on Saturday either - Eddie Forrest gloating after Scotland beat England 2-1 at Hampden Park. A fine start for the Scots saw Matt Murray beaten by Kenny Miller and Shaun Maloney either side of the interval, before Steven Gerrard restored some hope with a goal in the 89th minute. The home players would be happier - Slovakia thrashing Cyprus 4-0, with a Robert Vittek brace, as well as goals from newfound hero Milan Ivana and Lubomir Meszaros. On Wednesday evening Forrest would be grinning again - Igor Demo giving Slovakia a 19th minute lead against Scotland - only for first Robbie Stockdale, then Real Sociedad's Shaun Maloney to score to send Scotland top of the Group. England would get back to winning ways - thumping Andorra 6-0 at Sunderland's Stadium of Light. Goals from Emile Heskey, Paul Scholes, Micheal Owen, James Beattie and a Seth Johnson brace eased England to a very easy victory - but qualification for the finals will still be tough after some poor results early on. The penlultimate day of June would see the arrival of what Fairway was really waiting for - a meeting with Chairman Julias Albert regarding the coming season. He would leave the meeting in a very upbeat mood - his transfer budget would have some funds in it at last, with a shade under £50,000 available to be spent. In addition, he would be allocated 60% of any player sales to spend. The reason for the financial belt-lightening? - a £50,000 cheque for TV Rights, as well as a new, 2-year £160,000 Sponsorship deal. As expected the expectation would simply be to stay in the top flight. Fairway also used Friday to arrange a few freindlies - his side would start with a game against Non-League opposition, playing TJ Velke Levare on Wednesday, before travelling to Belarus for a three game tour, taking in games against Neman Grodno , Torpedo Zhodino and FC Gomel before coming back to Slovakia for a freindly the Saturday before the start of the season - Senec providing the opponents. It would take just 12 hours from the opening of the transfer window for Fairway to recieve a first bid. Not for one of the stars you might expect - but fringe winger Albert Balasz . Fairway accepted the £2000 offer from Second Division SH Senica, with Balasz privatley told that he was unlikely to break into the Bac first team. He would also be circulating Matt Hillyer's details - the English youngster transfer-listed after failing to impress last term. With Albert Balasz completing his move on Tuesday morning, Fairway could fire off a fax with a list of squad numbers to the FA - and sit down to produce his squad listing for the season. Goalkeepers 1 - Radoslaw Gardosik - Slovakia - 26 13 - Vojin Prole - Serbia & Montenegro (2 Caps) - 29 22 - Adrian Porszek - Slovakia - 22 Since his arrival Gardosik has been comfortable of retaining the number one shirt - but the arrival of Prole will certainly mix things up. The 'keeper has international experience, and a lot of talent - but will need to perform in preseason to beat Gardosik. Porszek is definatley Third Choice, and was not called up on last season. Defenders 2 - Robert Lovegrove - England - 22 - DR 3 - Andrej Ernak - Slovakia - 26 - DL 5 - Eddie Forrest - Scotland - 26 - DC 6 - Milos Glonek - Slovakia (25 Caps) - 36 - SW/DC 12 - Jozef Adamik - Slovakia - 20 - DC 16 - Pavol Mikulec - Slovakia - 25 - D/DMLC 19 - Ladislav Szijjarto - Slovakia - D/MRC 23 - Tomas Albert - Slovakia - 25 - DC -- - Matt Hillyer - England - 23 - SW/DC Perhaps a crucial reason for our promotion last season was our solid and stable defence. At right back Lovegrove has made the position his own - likewise Ernak at left back, who came in last summer to perform a really professional job. Another signing, Forrest linked up well with veteran Glonek to form a handy partnership at the back. Other options in the middle include Adamik - the youngster will be wanting to impress this year - Albert , who seemed to lack consistency last year and Hillyer , who had form problems, and has now been transfer listed. New signing Mikulec is no stranger to these parts - a successful loan spell the season before last but will have work to do to oust Ernak. Likewise, Szijjarto is prinicpally a backup for Lovegrove. Midfielders 4 - Marcel Horky - Slovakia - 31 - DMC 7 - Andrej Cisar - Slovakia - 27 - D/DMR 8 - Peter Svoboda - Slovakia - 25 - AMC 11 - Vlastimil Benko - Slovakia - 31 - ML 14 - Jaroslav Hilek - Slovakia - 27 - AM/FC 15 - Andrej Masarovic - Slovakia - 26 - AM/RL 17 - Erik Takac - Slovakia - 30 - AMR 18 - Glen Kaveney - England - 21 - MLC 20 - Marian Solotruk - Slovakian - 31 - MLC Skipper Horky is without a doubt a star act, who's drive and determination has given us a real boost since my arrival. He's been known to score too - thunderous strikes from distance his speciality. Alongside him Peter Svoboda came into his own last season as a creative playmaker. His long passing is nothing short of sublime, and he will have to perform in the higher league for us to have much of a hope. It'll be the same for Cisar , who will need to be consistent on the right hand side. Benko on the left may be getting on a bit, but still has plenty to offer - as has Solotruk in the middle. New signing Hilek will be involved, and equally versatile is Masarovic . On the right Takac offers another option, while Kaveney has skill but little experience - and does look a prospect on the left of midfield. Attackers 9 - Marian Marek - Slovakia - 23 - SC 10 - Ernest Lopu - Slovakia - 24 - FC 21 - Robert Patras - Slovakia - 24 - FRLC 24 - Michal Filo - Slovakia - 21 - SC Marek is a superb goalscorer, who simply couldn't stop scoring at times last season. His partnership with Lopu was hit by injury - and while Patras shone last season, its perhaps a little much to expect him to make the step up. Filo is certainly not top-flight class, and may well move on over the course of the season. A new striker has to be a priority. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janz Posted January 7, 2004 Share Posted January 7, 2004 Now we sit Bac and enjoy d_s in the top div.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gino Posted January 7, 2004 Share Posted January 7, 2004 I think the next user that attempts another pun should be banned forever for crimes against comedy! Whaddya think d_s? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 8, 2004 Author Share Posted January 8, 2004 You might have an Idea there Gino! - Cheers both of you TJ Velke Levare v Bac - Preseason Freindly Fairway would pull all his new signings into a 23-Man squad for a freindly against Non-League Levare. Not all of them would start - indeed only two, Prole and Takac, involved from the beginning. It took just 24 seconds for the opening goal - with Levare taking the initative, and the lead. After working the ball forward, Benko's cross-cum-shot was deflected by 'keeper Prole, and Stanislav Hlavac simply rolled the ball home. On 39 Marian Marek brought Bac level - an awful backpass by Sula intercepted by the striker, who smashed past 'keeper Dobias into the roof of the net. Bac made nine changes at the break - and got an immediate reward. Jaroslav Hilek hooked played fellow new signing Glen Kaveney in just inside the Bac half. He took the ball forward - beating Sula all ends up before running the ball into the area, and sliding it past 'keeper Dobias to claim a marvellous individual goal all of 22 seconds into his Bac debut. Levare wouldn't be denied however, and pulled back to draw on 68 - Stanislav Hlavec turning in a cross to make it 2-2 - and a draw for Bac to start 05/06. Velke Levare 2 - Bac 2 (Marek, Kaveney) With Fairway seeing a 'Name your price' approach for double goalscorer Stanislav Hlavec returning with a curt 'no' on Thursday morning, he would recieve a big blow before jetting off with his squad for their tour of Belarus. Andrej Masarovic would miss the tour in its entirety - a neck injury leaving him a doubt for the opening game of the season. Neman Grodno v Bac - Preseason Freindly It would take just 2 minutes for Grodno to take the lead - Bac's tour getting off to the worse possible start with Anatoly Goncharov taking advantage of confusion to power an early strike into the roof of the net. With Bac inconsistent, Gennadiy Vorobey struck twice either side of the break, and completing a miserable day for 'keeper Prole, young Eduard Shilo headed home from a corner on 86 to seal the win. Dire. Grodno 4 - Bac 0 While back in Slovakia MSK Zilina wrapped up their fourth Super Cup in a row with a victory over Dubnica on penalties, in Belarus Fairway was dragging his players over the coals. Though preseason, changes would be made - the main purpose of the tour was to get players fit, but wins too would certainly boost morale. Torpedo Zhodino v Bac - Preseason Friendly Bac would - as predicted - make changes, with Gardosik replacing Prole between the sticks and new signings Kaveney and Hilek given first starts. Another game - another early goal - this time Valentin Ryzhchenko netting after just 25 seconds to put the home side ahead. Osipenko added a second on 40 and it was goodnight Minsk - despite promising touches from Hilek and sub Mikulec Bac were again disapointing. On Wednesday morning Arsene Wenger got his 'dream' job - managing the French National Team whilst holding on to the reigns at Arsenal. Andrej Ernak would be thinking of other things - the left back picking up a knock against Torpedo which would see him ruled out for a few days - missing the final game in the tour of Belarus. FC Gomel v Bac - Preseason Friendly With Mikulec brought in for the injured Ernak, Bac started well - and looked a different act to the side who have struggled in Belarus so far. After dominating the first half without finding a breakthrough, it took a piece of magic on 35 to open the scoring. As a free kick broke down, Peter Svoboda hit a trademark, arcing chipped pass which landed right at the feet of Marian Marek , who wouldn't miss from inside the box. Four minutes later Bac went 2-0 up - new boy Glen Kaveney hitting a free kick which took a wicked deflection, decieved 'keeper Akulich and nestled in the bottom of the net. With Bac flying, there would be a sting in the Second Half tail - Victor Federovich finishing from close range - but on 80, another new boy would restore the two-goal advantage and give Bac a comfortable win. After another fine Svoboda pass Jaroslav Hilek ran on to slot the ball past the 'keeper - just reward for his tireless running in attack. That's the way to do it! Arriving back in Slovakia, Fairway and co. would have two days before the final freindly - the only one at Bac-Stadion, against Senec. Good news would arrive on Friday - Radoslaw Gardosik committing to the club for a further 3 years, extending his deal that would have run out in June 2006. The 'keeper will seemingly start as first choice for Bac - though Prole will always be a close second. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - Friday 15/7/05 'Fairway; Senec side will start League' "Bac manager Stuart Fairway has thrown down the gauntlet to his squad - saying the side he selects for the final freindly, at home to Senec tomorrow, will - injury permitting - be the side who start the opening League game of the season in a week's time. Bac have invested in several players in the summer - though more have departed - and it's thought Fairway wants to shake things up after a rather disapointing preseason tour of Belarus, only rescued by a fine 3-1 win over Gomel on Wednesday" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Bac v VTJ Koba Senec - Preseason Friendly With the press being more aware of the team selection than ever before, Fairway had indeed 'thrown down the gauntlet' - with three of his new signings set to start. Up front Hilek took what had traditionally been Ernest Lopu's place alongside Marian Marek, while at left Back Pavol Mikulec replaced Ernak. On the left wing came the most suprising change - Glen Kaveney keeping his place after excelling in preseason. Bac went behind on 27 in the most frustrating of circumstances - Forrest's slip on the turn allowing Vladimir Roznik time to open the scoring with a shot that Gardosik was able to get a hand to, but not enough to make the save. Five minutes before the interval Bac would level - new boy Hilek turning the ball across the box, and Marian Marek proving he can play just as well with Hilek as usual partner Lopu. It would be a slow second half - both sides having late chances - but a decisive goal just wouldn't come, with Bac getting a solid draw to build on for the season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 8, 2004 Author Share Posted January 8, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - Wednesday 20/7/05 'Szijjarto Injury Woe as Fairway looks to buy' "Bac manager Stuart Fairway has had a £5000 offer for HFC Hummene midfielder Vladimir Kiss , a Slovakian Under 21 International accepted by the Second Division side. Kiss, 17, is yet to make his senior debut at club level, but has played twice for the Under 21's - scoring in his second appearance, as a late sub against Cyprus. Fairway told BO.sk; "We're not the only club to offer Vladimir a deal - I know he's talking to Zilina, and given a choice, I reckon he'll go to them - but we're planning to do everything in our power to bring him to Bac". Fairway also confirmed that Robert Lovegrove has signed a new 4-Year contract, keeping him at Bac until 2009. However replacement right back Ladislav Szijjarto will miss the opening fortnight of the season after picking up a calf strain in training. Finally, Bac have been rated 40-1 for the League Title by the bookmakers, with MSK Zilina odds on favourites at 4-5 to retain their title. It's hard to see past Zilina, who are aiming for their fifth title in succession - but Slovan Bratislava are definatley value at 16-1, especially given the summer signing of ex Slovak international Peter Babnic up front. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> FK Matador Puchov v Bac - League Unavailable Andrej Masarovic - Injured (Neck, 6 Days) Ladislav Szijjarto - Injured (Calf, 2 Weeks) Puchov - a name from Bac's past. Their Cup Final opponents were now on level terms with Bac - at least in terms of divisions anyway. With two injured, Fairway would be able to start, as planned, with the side who were held by Senec last Saturday - meaning debuts for Hilek and Kaveney, and no place for the likes of Ernak, Lopu and Benko - though all three would make the bench. If Bac were still under any illusions how tough Division One would be, they were soon shattered - Gardosik called into action as early as the third minute. On 17, after a lot of pressure, he was beaten - Kundra providing the cross beyond the defence which Juraj Skripec brought down before firing beyond 'keeper Gardosik. However six minutes later it would be all level - with a goal coming from a source that, before his performances preseason, would have seemed unlikely. Picking up on a misplaced clearance Glen Kaveney put his head down to run with the ball - breezing past Zavaternik, taking the ball into the area and beating 'keeper Keleman with a low, angled shot into the far corner. With the equaliser, Bac shocked Puchov - and the home fans - and were in quiet control for the remainder of the half. On 49 they should have gone ahead - a backpass intercepted by Marian Marek, who did the hard work - controlling and taking the ball wide, but found Keleman recovering just in time to block at the expense of a corner. On 62 though it would be Puchov who took the lead - Reiter's near post cross fired home by Frantisek Kundra - but only after a hefty deflection from Mikulec. Bac couldn't recover this time - though they certainly tried, with Svoboda forcing a save before Cisar headed into the side netting on 76. A defeat, but one that showed plenty of promise. Puchov 2 - Bac 1 (Kaveney) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove (Replaced Lopu 45), Mikulec, Glonek, Forrest, Cisar, Kaveney, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Hilek Bac Position After Game; 9th (Out of 10 teams) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 8, 2004 Author Share Posted January 8, 2004 Sunday morning - and as feared, Vladimir Kiss signed for MSK Zilina , rejecting Fairway's overtures to join Bac. By Thursday it was turning into a depressing week on the transfer front - Kosice striker Lubomir Mati would cost £140,000 - far too much, even if Fairway had it to spend on a 30-Year old with an indifferent goalscoring record. When Michal Filo twisted his knee in training on Thursday afternoon - the backup hitman ruled out for 2 Weeks - Fairway's hand was forced. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bratislava-Today.sk - Football - Thursday 28/7/05 'Sestak in loan link' " Slovan Bratislava have accepted an offer from First Division newcomers FC Druzstevnik Bac for frontman Stanislav Sestak . Sestak, 22, has found chances hard to come by in recent seasons after exploding on the scene as a teenager. "We've had our offer to loan him for the season accepted, and I hope Stanislav takes the opportunity with both hands. It's a golden chance for him and us", said Bac manager Stuart Fairway , whose side lie ninth after one game in the top flight so far. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Ahead of the trip to Zilina, Fairway would at least be able to welcome Andrej Masarovic back to training - though after missing 3 weeks of preseason fitness work, he would have to wait for his chance. MSK Zilina v Bac - League Unavailable Ladislav Szijjarto - Injured (Calf, 1 Week) Michal Filo - Injured (Knee, 2 Weeks) So then - a trip to the Champions. It doesen't get any easier for Bac, although Fairway would keep faith with the same side who made an impact, if not able to get anything from the game at Presov on opening day. It would take just five minutes for Zilina to take the lead - Pavel Putik rolling home the rebound after Gardosik had made a fine reflex save from Fabus. On 26 Fabus should have doubled the lead - easily beating Glonek for pace, he tried to round Gardosik, who stood up well to the international - getting a hand to divert the shot onto the post before Eddie Forrest cleared the ball from inside the six-yard box. Though competing, Bac just didn't seem to be able to get hold of the ball for long enough to threaten, and though a Svoboda drive grazed the bar on 39, it was Zilina who went 2-0 up on 44. With Fairway visibly frustrated on the sidelines, Glonek was again caught out by a quick chipped pass - leaving Eddie Forrest with two strikers to deal with. He wasn't able to, and the ball ran to Putik, who beat the 'keeper with a shot into the corner. In injury time at the end of the first half Bac won a corner - and Svoboda's curling effort caused problems, with Cisar being pushed - giving Marian Marek the chance to score his first top flight goal from the penalty spot. After the break both sides had chances - Putik wasting three opportunities to get his hatrick as Gardosik went from strength to strength - and at the other end, Andrej Cisar shot wide when he should have at least troubled the 'keeper. Bac's strength was certainly in defence - Eddie Forrest shining - but the defeat will be a disapointment. Zilina 2 - Bac 1 (Marek) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Mikulec, Glonek, Forrest, Cisar, Kaveney (Replaced 60 Benko), Svoboda, Horky* (Replaced 60 Solotruk), Marek, Hilek Bac Position After Game; 9th Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peacemaker7 Posted January 8, 2004 Share Posted January 8, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Gino: I think the next user that attempts another pun should be banned forever for crimes against comedy! Whaddya think d_s? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I agree. I think we should ban them, and never let them bac. Belated well done on the title D_S, and happy 6th page Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digre Posted January 9, 2004 Share Posted January 9, 2004 This story has now thundered into my daily rutine. When I get to work I start of by checking my e-mail, the rival newspapers - and this story - before heading to the staff meating. (And, yes, the spelling error was intentional.) Excelent - love to see how the story evolves. Have you got yourself a set ambition d_s? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 9, 2004 Author Share Posted January 9, 2004 Digre; Winning a game this season would be a start - No ambition really though, we'll see what happens. I'd like a few European Glory Nights though PM; Cheers, weclome yourself Monday would prove a bad, bad day for Bac - Tomas Albert's torn groin muscle - a 2-Month layoff the result - merely the start of things to come. Stanislav Sestak from Slovan Bratislava, and Bac's other striking target, Michal Otocka - a Slovakian-born striker playing in the Czech Republic, both refusing the chance to come to Bac on loan for the season. On the whole it would prove 'one of those weeks' - with two other strikers - Mihal Balaz and Marek Bakos both having loan offers accepted by their clubs, but not getting in touch before Saturday. Balaz, 20, is a Slovakian playing in Germany for Hannover 96, while Bakos is also a Slovakian - on the fringes of Puchov's team, with experience for the Slovakian Under 21's. With the Transfer Deadline a week away, and Bac still without a win, Fairway is keen to bring in at least one boost to his attack before next Saturday. Bac v Spartak Trnava - League Unavailable Tomas Albert - Injured (Groin, 2 Months) Michal Filo - Injured (Knee, 4 Days) Ladislav Szijjarto - Injured (Calf, 2 Days) Here at last - their first home game as a First Division side. Bac would go into the game with two changes - Andrej Masarovic called onto the bench, but more significantly Jozef Adamik handed a first start in the defence with Milos Glonek left on the bench - perhaps as a result of being caught for pace twice against Zilina - onetime leading to what proved the winning goal. Bac began brightly, and on five, should have opened the scoring - 'keeper Cerny saving with his legs from Jaroslav Hilek. Bac dominated the first half - Kaveney and Marek both having chances - though on 40, it took a fine block from Eddie Forrest to deny Vladimir Kozuch. In a quiet second half it was Trnava who came closest - Kozuch again coming close - but it would be a game that simply never got out of the blocks. Bac 0 - Trnava 0 Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Mikulec, Adamik, Forrest, Cisar, Kaveney, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Hilek (Replaced 45 Lopu) Bac Position After Game; 10th Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 9, 2004 Author Share Posted January 9, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - Sunday 7/8/05 'Striker signs as Bac step up transfer search' "Bac, who slipped to bottom of the First Division yesterday, have signed Hannover 96 striker Mihal Balaz on loan for the season. Balaz, 20, was born in Slovakia but has been unable to break into the German sides' team. Bac Head Coach John Durnin told BO.sk; "Mihal's a player we've been after for a while - he's a very talented young player, and we hope he'll settle in quickly and become a key player. It's become clear we need to bolster the attack, and Mihal is someone who'll certainly add to our front line". Manager Stuart Fairway is also said to be chasing two players - both internationals. Alias Lembakoali is a Central African Republic international playing for Inter Bratislava, and Valassky FC striker Seto Nurdiantoro , an Indonesian international. Both players are set to discuss terms over the next few days. Seto Nurdiantoro Alias Lembakoali (Left of Picture) <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Thursday morning - and a press conference at Bac-Stadion - with Stuart Fairway able to announce the signing of Seto Nurdiantoro . The 31-Year old, an Indonesian international with 20 Caps and 7 goals for his country, has signed on a free transfer from Czech minnows Valassky FC. With the boost of a new signing there would come an injury - defender Jozef Adamik fracturing ribs in training, ruling him out for 3 weeks. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - Saturday 13/8/05 'New boys set for debut as Bac make late, late capture' "Bac manager Stuart Fairway has pulled off a late transfer coup, with VTJ Koba Senec defender Pavol Majernik signing for the club very late last night. Majernik, 26, is a central defender who has recieved rave reviews - and Fairway admitted he has been working hard to secure the deal. "There's been plenty of long nights" he said. "We've discussed terms with Pavol on more than one occasion this week, and I'm glad to finally get him. £30,000 is a steal." Majernik is set to make his debut this afternoon, while fellow new singings Seto Nurdiantoro and Mihal Balaz are also in contention for starts in attack. Fairway has also confirmed that his other transfer target, Central African Republic international forward Alias Lembakoali will not be joining Bac after player and club failed to agree personal terms. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Bac v FC Artmedia Petrzalka - League Unavailable Tomas Albert - Injured - (Groin, 2 Months) Jozef Adamik - Injured - (Chest, 3 Weeks) Ernak, Balaz and Majernik all in - Kaveney, Hilek and Adamik out, with Nurdiantoro on the bench - the news would greet the Bac fans as they arrived, with a local paper getting in an early billboard to announce the changes. There would be changes in position too - Mikulec moved up from left back to left wing to accomodate the returning Ernak. Bac started well - Balaz racing on, but finding only 'keeper Lipcak with his inital effort before shooting over on 14. On 25 Bac would get the ball in the net - Svoboda's through ball saw Marian Marek adjudged offside seconds before he picked up the pass to beat the 'keeper. While Bac certainly had the best of the first half - Balaz hit the side netting again before the break - it was Petrzalka who scored the opening goal on 49. Picking the ball up in acres of space, Blazej Vascak's shot was weak, but had curl on it - and though Gardosik got a touch, it was only enough to slow the ball rather than stop it - trickling over the line to put the visitors ahead. On 63 sub Nurdiantoro - on for a quiet Marek - had an instant chance to make himself a hero, showing good change of pace to beat one defender, but denied just as he was about to shoot by a second. As it was, Bac wouldn't have to wait too long to equalise - after almost constant pressure Mihal Balaz got up well, running across the area to glance Pavol Mikulec's corner past Lipcak. Both sides were then on the ascendency - Vascak and Kozak having chances for the visitors, while Bac struggled with the final ball. There would be a winner though - and with 15 seconds of injury time left on the clock, step forward Seto Nurdiantoro . One of Bac's two new strikers, the Indonesian benefitted from a kind deflection off Orabinec, but still had work to do - rounding the 'keeper to slot the ball home right at the death. Bac 2 - Petrzalka 1 (Balaz, Nurdinatoro) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Forrest, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek (Replaced 45 Nurdiantoro), Balaz Bac Position After Game; 7th Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 10, 2004 Author Share Posted January 10, 2004 With the transfer window slamming shut for another four months on Sunday morning, it would be a quiet week for Fairway - a blessed relief after what proved abject panic in the search for a striker the week before. Fairway didn't take one training session - instead travelling all over the country to personally check up and negociate with potential signings. This week proved the total opposite - relaxed, confident buildup - and no transfers to worry about. MSK SCP Ruzemberok v Bac - League Unavailable Jozef Adamik - Injured (Chest, 2 Weeks) Tomas Albert - Injured (Groin, 1 Month) With no changes to the starting lineup - goal hero Nurdinatoro still on the bench - Fairway would lead his side into the game chasing a second win in the top flight. Bac started in scintallating form - moving the ball across the pitch, and creating three chances in the first 10 minutes. The pressure would lead to an early goal - on 12, after a Svoboda corner was half cleared, Andrej Ernak played the ball back into the box, and with Marek screaming for a cross, Pavol Mikulec ignored him to shoot powerfully beyond 'keeper Pesko into the far corner. With Ruzemberok all at sea, Bac had further chances before the break - Balaz closest with a deft chip on 29. Immediatley after the break, as Ruzemberok surged forward - Miso drawing a good save from Gardosik - a suprising substitution shocked Pod Cebratom. Veteran home 'keeper Pesko walked off, to be replaced by youth prospect Bartko - with seemingly no injury to the starting custodian. The 17-year old had little to do at first - Gardosik making two fine saves from Laurinc and Jelsic - but when Bac made changes on 67, it would all change. Five minutes after coming on, Indonesian Seto Nurdiantoro picked up on a long Forrest free kick on the edge of the box. Taking the ball away from Mikulas, he brilliantly curled the ball past Peter Bartko to double the lead. With the new signing running riot - Bartko forced into a fine save on 76 - a third goal always looked likely - but it would come at the other end. With Bac temporarily in disarray, Martin Laurinc headed home at a corner and for a moment, the boot was on the other foot. Jelsic and Helbich both had chances in the dying moments - but the day would belong to the new hero. With the six minutes of injury time all but over Peter Svoboda found Seto Nurdinatoro on the edge of the box - and he would make no mistake, beating young Bartko with a shot that hit the net just as the final whistle sounded. Ruzemberok 1 - Bac 3 (Mikulec, Nurdinatoro 2) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Forrest, Cisar (Replaced 67 Masarovic), Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek (Replaced 90 Hilek), Balaz (Replaced 67 Nurdinatoro) Bac Position After Game; 3rd <pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Zilina | | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 10 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Petrzalka | | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 6 | +5 | 9 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | BAC | | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | +1 | 7 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Ruzomberok | | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 8 | +3 | 7 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Slovan Bratislava | | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 7 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Inter Bratislava | | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 7 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Puchov | | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Dubnica | | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 5 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Trnava | | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Trencin | | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 13 | -6 | 3 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 10, 2004 Author Share Posted January 10, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - Sunday 21/8/05 'Fairway lists two' " FC Drustevnik Bac manager Stuart Fairway has transfer listed one player and loan-listed another. Midfielder Marian Solotruk , who never seemed to replicate his form at previous club Licartovce while at Bac, has gone on the list - with no fee demanded - while striker Robert Patras is available for loan. "Marian is out of contract at the end of the season, and though he did a good job while we were in the Second Division, I don't think he'll be involved often enough in the First Division to justify keeping hold of him. Robert still has something to offer - but he's about fifth choice up front at the moment, and it'll be good for him to get experience elsewhere." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Bac v Inter Bratislava - League Unavailable Tomas Albert - Injured (Groin, 1 Month) Jozef Adamik - Injured (Chest, 2 Weeks) With one-time Bac transfer target Lembakoali on the bench for Inter, and no changes for the third game in a row for the home side, Fairway would still be keeping faith with the Marek - Balaz partnership that had seemed to require an Indonesian kick up the backside in recent games. After just five minutes it would be a different kind of kick to give Bac the lead - Cisar tripped just inside the area, and Marian Marek fired home from the penalty spot. From almost nothing, Inter would level on 21 - a free kick masterfully headed on by Holly, into the path of Juraj Halenar, who finished well from close range. Immediatley after the break Bac scored again - on 48, sub Glen Kaveney ran on from Horky's arcing pass to put Bac into the lead for the second time. Despite three goals the game had been quiet - though Bac were certainly forcing the matter. On 53 Balaz shot over - and 11 minutes later Lembakoali found Pavol Pavlus inside the box - the midfielder turning on a sixpence to rifle the ball into the far corner. On 76 Bac closed up - Eddie Forrest's dismissal for a professional foul not helping the game - but the point is enough to drop them to a still-suprising fourth place. Bac 2 - Inter 2 (Marek, Kaveney) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Forrest, Cisar, Mikulec (Replaced 45 Kaveney), Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Balaz (Replaced 65 Nurdinatoro) Bac Position after Game; 4th Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark_Soccer Posted January 10, 2004 Share Posted January 10, 2004 Nice 4th place...though there is still a long way to go Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam the Seagull Posted January 10, 2004 Share Posted January 10, 2004 I'm Bac! Good to see this still going strong d_s, congrats on the championship \o/ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 10, 2004 Author Share Posted January 10, 2004 Cheers both of you - long, long way to go yet. On Wednesday morning as Eddie Forrest contemplated a one-game ban, Stuart Fairway contemplated the Slovakian Cup First Round draw. Bac would travel to Second Division Podbrezova - with Fairway hopeful that his side would be able to progress to at least the Quarter Finals of the Cup this season after disapointment last year. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - Friday 26/8/05 'Fairway - Svoboda is Immense' "Bac manager Stuart Fairway has praised midfielder Peter Svoboda , calling his performances in the First Division 'Immense - truly class'. Svoboda, 25, has starred this season for the promoted side - and Fairway has claimed that his midfielder should be considered for an international call. "He's still young" said Fairway - "and I certainly feel that he should be considered for international honours in the future." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Slovan Bratislava v Bac - League Unavailable Tomas Albert - Injured (Groin, 1 Month) Jozef Adamik - Injured (Chest, 1 Week) Eddie Forrest - Suspended (1 of 1) After three games with an unchanged side Fairway would ring the changes - with Indonesian hitman Nurdinatoro called in for a first start after 3 goals in as many substitute appearences. At the back, Milos Glonek would earn a recall - returning for the suspended Forrest. The game got off to a very exciting start - Bac earning a corner after all of 16 seconds, Marek denied by a fine stop on 9 - and at the other end, Slovan's Fabula seeing an effort ruled out for offside on 18. 10 minutes later there would be a goal - and it would be Bac who took the lead. After a well-worked throw in routine on the left, Nurdiantoro crossed for Marian Marek to angle a header down into the far corner. Before half time - but only just - Bac would have a second - Marcel Horky's free kick headed home by Seto Nurdinatoro to make it 2-0. With a real rocket for the home side at the interval, Bac would soon find the scores a little closer - Slovan needing 47 seconds of Second Half football before Branislav Obzera neatly sidestepped 'keeper Gardosik to scorer on 46. It set the scene for the 'mad five minutes' that was to follow. On 62 Bac increased their lead - Pavol Mikulec's glorious through ball from deep giving Marian Marek the chance to fire past 'keeper Vencel from the edge of the box. A minute later, Slovan had pegged them back again - Majernick doing enough once to deny Roman Jurko, but not from the second cross - the striker pouncing to give Gardosik little chance to save. On 65 though that two goal advntage was restored - Majernik turning from defender to provider with a header forward to Marian Marek, who flicked the ball beyond the defence. Seto Nurdinatoro was on hand, and made no mistake. With Slovan unable to recover, Seto Nurdinatoro again made a mockery of their marking - on 88, the Indonesian striker burned past a defender to again finish from Marek's angled pass. A lesson in attacking football - at times, you didn't know which side had just been promoted - and revenge for the Cup defeat certainly achieved! Slovan 2 - Bac 5 (Marek 2, Nurdinatoro 3) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Glonek, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdinatoro Bac Position After Game; 4th Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 10, 2004 Author Share Posted January 10, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Slovakia-Today - Football in Brief - Thursday 1/9/05 'Nurdigoal! - Bac new boy Player of Month' "After bagging six goals in just four games - only one of which the striker played from the start in - have given Bac's Indonesian International striker Seto Nurdinatoro the Player of the Month award for August. Bac - who are flying in their first season in Division One - signed Nurdiantoro in the final week of the transfer window, having failed in other bids. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> While Nurdinatoro's award would bring good news to Bac on Thursday, a day later it would be followed up with a double injury blow. By far the more serious, a torn groin muscle would keep Mihal Balaz out for 2 months, but a fortnight will still be a long time for Bac to miss Robert Lovegrove , who picked up a back strain in training minutes after Balaz was sent to hospital for assessment of his injury. By Monday, there would at least be one slice of good news on the injury front - with Jozef Adamik returning to full training. The young defender has been out with fractured ribs, sustained in training just a few days after making his first start for the club. FK Zeleziarne Podbrezova v Bac - Slovakian FA Cup First Round Unavailable Tomas Albert - Injured (Groin, 4 Weeks) Mihal Balaz - Injured (Groin, 2 Months) Robert Lovegrove - Injured (Back, 1 Week) With Szijjarto in for Lovegrove and Vlastimil Benko returning on the bench for Balaz, there would be no place for the fit-again Adamik as Fairway made just one change to a side improving after taking their time to find their First Division feet - though Forrest did return after a ban. After a bright start for both sides, the supposed minnows went ahead after just seven minutes. A great ball from Rybinkar caught 'keeper Radoslaw Gardosik out of place - who came a long way to the edge of the area, missed - and Marek Plichta was left with a header into the unguarded net. It was a genuine shock - Bac had previously dominated - and on 14, there was nearly a double shock, as Krakovsky hammered a shot against the crossbar. From the loose ball, Bac surged forward - and when Cisar provided the cross Marian Marek prodded the ball into the far corner. Bac built on their goal, with Horky, Cisar and Marek all coming close. Despite their dominance, Bac were still level - but on 50, they would take the lead for the first time in the game. A brilliant ball from deep set up Glen Kaveney to run at Podbrezova - and his cross for Marian Marek would give the striker the simplest of conversions. Podbrezova were a spent force, and though Nurdiantoro could have added a third on 57, Bac had the simplest of tasks, able to hold on for a hard-fought, but well-earned win - if it wasn't for home 'keeper Hanak, Bac would have had a hatful. Podbrezova 1 - Bac 2 (Marek 2) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Szijjarto, Ernak, Majernik, Forrest, Cisar, Mikulec (Replaced 45 Kaveney), Svoboda (Replaced 45 Hilek), Horky*, Marek (Replaced 74 Lopu), Nurdinatoro Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 10, 2004 Author Share Posted January 10, 2004 Thursday's Second Round draw would give Bac another game against Lower League opposition - a trip to Rapid Bratislava , a Non-League club in fact if not stature. They would though be without Andrej Cisar for a fortnight - a knock against Podbrezova confirmed as a groin strain. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Slovakia-Today - Football - Sunday 11/9/05 'The joy of Six' " Slovakia are still in the hunt for at least a playoff place for qualification for the 2006 World Cup in Germany after a fine 6-0 victory over Andorra in the tiny nation. Igor Demo scored after just 3 minutes, before Vladimir Labant scored to make it two on 7. Vladimir Janocko added a third on 20, and on 27, Lubomir Meszaros struck a fourth, before scoring the sixth just after the break. Sandwiched in between Meszaros strikes, Robert Vittek got the fifth before the half time interval. Slovakia host Croatia on Wednesday night, looking for a win that would give them a real chance of progression. News of the World - Football - Sunday 11/9/05 'Late show keeps England in it' "Aston Villa's Darius Vassell was again England's hero last night - an arcing header in injury time beating Stipe Pletikosa to give England a 2-1 victory. It had all began very brightly - Alan Smith cracking home from an acute angle to give England a lead after just five minutes. On 51 Ivica Olic scored to pull the Second placed Croatians back into it - before Vassell's late strike handed victory to England. Group 5 Results Andorra 0 - Slovakia 6 Croatia 1 - England 2 Cyprus 1 - Scotland 4 <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> On Monday morning, despite his injury, Stuart Fairway entered into contract negociations with Mihal Balaz - the striker on loan from Hannover. Though Bac had seen a £20,000 offer accepted, Balaz was still unsure - and Fairway would have to hope the striker would decide to go for first team football. Bac v FK ZTS Dubnica nad Vahom - League Unavailable Andrej Cisar - Injured (Groin, 1 Week) Tomas Albert - Injured (Groin, 3 Weeks) Mihal Balaz - Injured (Groin, 2 Months) With Dubnica struggling, Fairway would see his side go into the game as - perhaps suprising - favourites for the game. He would be able to recall Robert Lovegrove at right back - replacing Szijjarto in one of two changes - Masarovic replacing the injured Cisar on the right. The game started slowly, but on 17 Marian Marek wasted a fine opportunity to put Bac ahead - firing over with Nurdiantoro in a far better position. On 27 they would go ahead - a Nurdiantoro cross brilliantly volleyed home by Andrej Masarovic , the winger claiming his first goal in a Bac shirt after signing in the summer. Just after the break it could have been two - Masarovic's dangerous cross very nearly turned in by Nurdinatoro. Dubnica were awful - having just the solitary chance, with Suchy's late shot turned wide by 'keeper Gardosik - but with only one game on Wednesday evening, the League table would shock many... Bac 1 - Dubnica 0 (Masarovic) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Forrest, Masarovic, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdinatoro Bac Position After Game; 1st Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 11, 2004 Author Share Posted January 11, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Slovakia-Today - Football - Thursday 16/9/05 'Blown it - Slovakia defeat leaves qualification unlikely' "Slovakia's World Cup Qualifying campaign looks to be at an end after defeat against Croatia yesterday evening. Despite going ahead through Robert Vittek , goals from Croatia's Klasnic and Olic gave the visitors a comfortable 2-1 win, which could have been far, far worse. The Sun - Football - Thursday 16/9/05 'Ours to loose - Eriksson predicts England for Playoffs' "England manager Sven Goran-Eriksson has said that after 3-0 victory over Cyprus, Engalnd's World Cup fate is in their own hands. After winning Euro 2004, it has been a stuttering campaign - but when Micheal Owen put them ahead after just four minutes it would seem a different day. On 10, Jordan Stewart scored his first goal for England, and just after the interval Chelsea's John Terry claimed his first at international level with an angled header from a fine Beckham corner. The skipper was immense - but despite Eriksson's optimisim, England still need the Auld Enemey - Scotland only needing a point to qualify - to beat Croatia. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> After all the international fun and games on Thursday, Bac - newly installed as League leaders going into Saturday's games - hit the headlines again. After a loan spell brought to an early halt through injury, Mihal Balaz will sign permanently for Stuart Fairway's side in the January transfer window - Fairway splashing his last remaining transfer funds - £20,000 - to bring the Slovakian home from Hannover. Bac v MSK Zilina - League Unavailable Andrej Cisar - Injured (Groin, 4 Days) Tomas Albert - Injured (Groin, 2 Weeks) Mihal Balaz - Injured (Groin, 1 Month) While Bac may hold first position in the League going into the game, nobody doubts that come the end of the season, MSK Zilina will be in the hunt - if not celebrating - their fifth League title in a row. Despite their club being top of the league, pre-match chat on the terraces would be on one subject, and one subject only - that of Seto Nurdinatoro's suprising ommision from the starting lineup - and perhaps more suprisingly, Ernest Lopu recalled to return to the successful Division Two strike partnership, with the Indonesian on the bench. It was a gamble that - after 21 minutes of fairly quiet football - paid off. Ernest Lopu scored Bac's first goal under the stewardship of Stuart Fairway, over two years ago - and when he headed home Pavol Mikulec's corner, claimed a first top flight goal that Fairway had never thought his striker - who he described as 'not a great player' on arriving at the club - would ever score. Bac held their lead until half time, but on 46 Martin Fabus barged past Majernik to level with a low, driven shot into the far corner. Both sides had chances - Erik Takac close to opening his Bac account on 67 - but right at the death, victory would be sealed - for Zilina. With the clock showing 89 and most journalists preparing to write about an entertaining and even draw, Trhanik's flick was masterfully controled by Zilina's Juraj Skripec, who bamboozled Majernik to beat Gardosik from close range. It was a goal right out the top drawer - and Skripec looked shocked and delighted in equal measure to claim his first goal for Zilina since a £100,000 move from Puchov in such style. Bac 1 - Zilina 2 (Lopu) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Forrest, Masarovic, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Lopu Bac Position After Game; 3rd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 11, 2004 Author Share Posted January 11, 2004 Monday morning, and as if dropping two League places isn't enough, Fairway also has an injury - a badly stubbed toe - for Andrej Masarovic to contend with, the winger ruled out for a fortnight. His loss is Andrej Cisar's gain, the winger returning in place of Masarovic after his own injury problems. Bac v AS Trencin - League Unavailable Andrej Masarovic - Injured (Foot, 1 Week) Tomas Albert - Injured (Groin, 2 Weeks) Mihal Balaz - Injured (Groin, 1 Month) With bottom of the League Trencin travelling to Bac for a Wednesday evening fixture - Bac's second game of three this week - Fairway would make just the one, enforced change - with Cisar returning on the right flank for the injured Masarovic. The game started very slowly, with Trencin certainly having the best of things as Bac seemed to loose their heads - both Forrest and Svoboda getting away with warnings after coming close to talk themselves into the book. On 43 justice was done - Trencin taking the lead with an Ivan Lietava header from a corner. Bac struggled all day - Horky's shot which forced a save on 51 their only effort of any note. Trencin 'Golden Boy' - Slovakian international Milan Ivana - would grab a second on 82, rising almost unchallenged to head home from a Kubala free kick. Bac 0 - Trencin 2 Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Forrest, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Lopu (Replaced 45 Nurdiantoro) Bac Position After Game; 5th <pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Inter Bratislava | | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 15 | -1 | 17 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Ruzomberok | | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 10 | +8 | 16 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Zilina | | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 17 | 12 | +5 | 16 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Puchov | | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 12 | +1 | 15 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | BAC | | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 14 | +2 | 14 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Petrzalka | | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 15 | 9 | +6 | 14 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Dubnica | | 10 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 15 | -3 | 10 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Trencin | | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 10 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Slovan Bratislava | | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 21 | -10 | 10 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Trnava | | 10 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 11 | -2 | 9 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janz Posted January 11, 2004 Share Posted January 11, 2004 oh keep it together d_s!!! get Bac to the top!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 11, 2004 Author Share Posted January 11, 2004 - Cheers Janz. Thursday morning, and while the First Team squad would be in for extra training after Bac's gutless performance at home to Trencin, Marian Solotruk would be nursing a back injury - the transfer-listed player set to be out for around a week. Spartak Trnava v Bac - League Unavailable Andrej Masarovic - Injured (Foot, 6 Days) Tomas Albert - Injured (Groin, 1 Week) Marian Solotruk - Injured (Back, 6 Days) Mihal Balaz - Injured (Groin, 1 Month) After losing to Bottom of the League Trencin, Bac would travel for the first time in three games to the side who have replaced them at the botom of the pile. Fairway would again shuffle his pack, with Nurdiantoro recalled up front - and Lopu, who came off at half time against Trencin, relegated to the bench. After clearly recieving a rocket from Fairway ahead of the game, Bac stormed out the blocks - and on 6, took the lead. A misplaced header from Hlusko allowed Pavol Mikulec to storm forward - and when the winger pulled the trigger to centre, Marian Marek was able to pick his spot. On a terrible pitch, the game quickly turned into a scrappy affair - which, on 22, suited Bac - Hlusko's attempted clearance sticking in the mud, and Seto Nurdiantoro on hand to prod a second. Trnava had chances in the first half - Kozuch heading over on the half hour before Jezik crashed a volley into the stands on 42. Immediatley after the interval the pitch got it's revenge - Bac 'keeper Gardosik forced to watch as Vladimir Kozuch's shot - which he got a hand to - rolled agonisingly into the far corner, with Majernik thundering in just behind, but failing to clear. Despite Gardosik immediatley called upon to make another save from Kriss, Bac surged forward - and on 57, in a classic counter-attacking manuever, went 3-1 up - Ernak's pass, Mikulec's cross and a fine Seto Nurdinatoro drive beating 'keeper Cerny from just inside the box. The Indonesian was certainly Bac's biggest attacking threat, and on 82, he would grab a deserved third - and claim his second hattrick in just nine starts and substitute appearences for the club - guiding home Peter Svoboda's inswinging corner to make it 4-1. Vladimir Kozuch would score again - his goal coming with 92 minutes on the clock - too late for a comeback, but early enough to score the sixth goal of a very entertaining game. Trnava 2 - Bac 4 (Marek, Nurdinatoro 3) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Forrest, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 3rd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 11, 2004 Author Share Posted January 11, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Slovak-Sport.sk - Football - Sunday 25/9/05 'Hilek Speaks Out' "In what could be the first example of cracks beginning to show in the Bac machine, Jaroslav Hilek has hit out at manager Stuart Fairway - telling Slovak-Sport that he is unhappy at the lack of first team chances at the club. For his part, Fairway has been quick to respond - publically telling Hilek that he will have to wait. The playmaker signed in the summer, but has only made three starts for the club." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Fairway was bitter on Sunday morning - the fact a player - one of his signings - had spoken out was one thing, but to do it to Slovakia's most notorious Sunday tabloid was another - and despite an almost immediate apology from the front man, their relationship had been horribly severed. By Tuesday he had had enough - Hilek handed an official, written warning for his unprofessional behaviour and tranfer-listed for £50,000. It proved a sour end to what had been a great week - their victory over Trnava was nothing short of spectacular, and with both Masarovic and Solotruk returning from injury, Hilek would be nowhere near the team on Saturday. Bac v FK Matador Puchov - League Unavailable Mihal Balaz - Injured (Groin, 4 Weeks) Tomas Albert - Injured (Groin, 2 Days) With the Hilek 'scandal' causing plenty of debate on the terraces, Fairway would make no changes to his starting eleven, with Masarovic replacing the troublesome one on the bench. After just eight minutes Bac were handed a chance on a plate - Ovad missing what looked an easy header, only for Nurdinatoro to blaze a volley over the top. With Puchov not at the races - and Ovad having a 'mare - Bac should have scored on 24 - the defender slipping to allow Marek to race onto Nurdinatoro's pass - but he could only shoot against the woodwork, and with nobody following up, Puchov were able to clear. Justice was finally served on the stroke of half time - Peter Svoboda started a move which went via skipper Horky, before Nurdinatoro's cross threatened to evade everyone - the playmaker arriving late to hammer a shot in at the far post. While Puchov stepped up a gear after the interval - Kundra and Vavrik both coming close - Bac grabbed a second against the run of play on 61. Ernak's long throw dropped over the hapless Ovad - who was replaced soon after - and Seto Nurdinatoro set off on a stunning solo run that finished with a curled shot into the far corner - a sublime strike to claim his 10th of the season. He could have added a second in Bac's last chance of the game on 64 - Eddie Forrest sent off for a second bookable offence soon after - but the win keeps Bac in third. Bac 2 - Puchov 0 (Svoboda, Nurdinatoro) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove (Replaced 75 Adamik), Ernak (Replaced 75 Kaveney), Majernik, Forrest, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 3rd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 11, 2004 Author Share Posted January 11, 2004 While Sunday would see Eddie Forrest hit with a one-game ban, Monday would see the return from injury of another defender - Tomas Albert . Almost a forgotten man since his injury, the defender - who only just qualified for a League winners medal last season after coming on as a sub in the final game of the season - would have a lot of fitness work to do before being considered for a comeback in the league. Rapid Bratislava v Bac - Slovakian FA Cup Second Round Unavailable Mihal Balaz - Injured (Groin, 4 Weeks) Eddie Forrest - Suspended (1 of 1) As it was, Albert wouldn't get a comeback in the Cup either - Adamik replacing the suspended Forrest, with Milos Glonek recalled to the bench. With less than three minutes gone, the Non-League side took the lead - a magnificent corner, swung in to a position almost underneath the bar by Certik was guided home by Juraj Liska, claiming his first goal of the season. After the early shock Bac surged forward - Nurdinatoro drawing a good save from the 'keeper - before Andrej Cisar beat Hluchy from inside the box following a Mikulec cross to the far post. Two minutes later Andrej Cisar was on target again - Nurdinatoro storming through to draw a good save from Hluchy, only for the winger to turn in Bac's second in three minutes. While he wasted the chance of a hatrick on 32, Andrej Cisar would claim an unlikely hatrick on the stroke of half time - Nurdinatoro again turning provider with a curling cross that Marek was unable to reach - the clearance falling for Cisar, who had time to place a shot into the far corner. After their early goal Rapid were frankly appauling - Stacho wasting their solitary chance of the second half by sending his corner far, far too deep on the hour. Bac could have had a fourth late on - Svoboda hitting the ball over on the half-volley - before Cisar somewhat blotted his copybook with a booking in injury time. It would be irrelevant - his performance inside the area in the first half more than enough - and Bac reach the Quarter Finals. Rapid 1 - Bac 3 (Cisar 3) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Adamik, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 11, 2004 Author Share Posted January 11, 2004 Wednesday morning, and while Bac were drawing Dun. Streda - the only Non-League side left in the competition - in the Quarter Finals of the Slovakian FA Cup, Tomas Albert was picking up a groin strain in training. By Thursday, Albert was on his way to see a specialist - two groin injuries in quick succession giving Fairway little choice but to send the defender for physiotheraphy on the troublesome area - ruled out for 3 weeks while specialists made their diagnosis. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - Friday 7/10/05 'Fairway delight as Adamik gets call' "Bac manager Stuart Fairway has told BO.sk of his delight that young defender Jozef Adamik has recieved a callup to the Slovakian Under 21's for their game against England's Under 21's. "It's a big chance for him" Fairway said. "We took a chance on him last season, and I'm glad it's come off for him. Of course with Slovakia playing England there's added interest in our camp, and I'm sure he won't let himself, or us, down should he play. Adamik, 20, joined Bac last season on a free after being released by Slovan Bratislava." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> With results on Saturday going in their favour, Bac would go into their game on Sunday knowing that a win could - for a few hours at least - send them top. FC Artmedia Petrzalka v Bac - League Unavailable Mihal Balaz - Injured (Groin, 3 Weeks) Tomas Albert - Injured (Groin, 3 Weeks) Although Adamik has just recieved a first international call - the first of many perhaps, as the classy youngster has attracted admiring words this season from many quarters - he would be dropped. Fairway instead chose the returning Scot Eddie Forrest, a player with at best limited hopes of making an international squad in his place. Petrzalka certainly started the better side - Durica and Kozak both seeing chances go awry. While the home side certainly dominated, it would be Bac who grabbed the lead after 41 minutes. A through ball from Marcel Horky put Seto Nurdinatoro away, the striker trying an ambitious lobbed shot with plenty of curl. 'Keeper Lipcak got a hand - but could only turn around in time to see the ball bounce once before bobbling into the net. Immediatley after the break he should have bagged a second - 'keeper Lipcak making a sensational save to deny the Indonesian. From the goal kick Petrzalka broke away, earnt a corner - and Jan Durica headed them a deserved leveller. The goal threw Bac into disarray - five minutes later Martin Mikulec took two chances, but eventually put the home side ahead. When Peter Svoboda went off on a stretcher on 70, Fairway made three changes - and one of them nearly levelled it - Glen Kaveney hitting a fizzer wide from fully 30 yards in injury time with the 'keeper beaten - his shot inches the wrong side of the post. Petrzalka 2 - Bac 1 (Nurdiantoro) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Forrest, Cisar (Replaced Masarovic 70), Mikulec (Replaced Kaveney 70), Svoboda (Replaced Benko 70),Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 4th Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 11, 2004 Author Share Posted January 11, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - Sunday 9/10/05 'Svoboda Injury Woe as Bac linked with Starlet' "Bac playmaker Peter Svoboda will be out for 4 weeks after breaking a shoulder in the 2-1 defeat against Petrzalka yesterday. Svoboda, 25, who has impressed many this season with his rangy passing, was taken off on a stretcher with twenty minutes of the game remaining - always looking in a bad way. Bac manager Stuart Fairway said; "Of course, it's a big blow to us - though we've got players who I hope can step into Peter's shoes, he's undeniably a class act, and we'll miss him". Fairway meanwhile has refused to comment on speculation linking Bac with a summer move for former Slovakia Schoolboy captain Jozef Hrivnak . Hrivnak, 16, is currently playing for Trencin after signing a Youth Contract for the club in the summer. Any move - which is likely to cost Bac a lot of money - would have to wait until the summer due to FIFA rules on the transfer of young players." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> While it was a quiet week on the domestic front, by Friday, all Bac would be focused on The Hawthorns - the home of West Bromwich Albion, and occasionally - England Under 21's. Their man started - Jozef Adamik becoming the first ever Bac player to earn international caps at any level. He didn't disapoint either - although England ran out 3-2 winners, the Slovakian youngsters - including former Bac target Vladimir Kiss - aquitted themselves well, and Adamik in particular had a fine game, until he was replaced four minutes from time. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> News of the World - Football - Sunday 16/10/05 'Austria here we come! - England reach playoffs' "On a dramatic final afternoon of World Cup Qualifying, England have reached the Playoffs for the World Cup, where they will face Austria . It was a close-run thing - after Scotland held Croatia 3-3, England knew that a win could see them through, and in the end, it was achieved in style. Slovakia - at a time holding qualification ambitions of their own - were lacklustre, and the only suprise was that it took England until the 51st minute to open the scoring. Scott Parker headed home the opener, and on 61, Kieron Dyer added a second. Wayne Rooney's 69th and 82nd minute goals sealed the win - but it was all thanks to Tom McManus' brace at Hampden that England, rather than Croatia, have the chance to go to Germany. Final Group 5 Table <pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | Q | Scotland | | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 31 | 12 | +19 | 23 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | Pl | England | | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 6 | +16 | 20 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Croatia | | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 23 | 11 | +12 | 20 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Slovakia | | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 27 | 14 | +13 | 16 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Cyprus | | 10 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 9 | 27 | -18 | 6 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Andorra | | 10 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 43 | -42 | 1 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre> <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> While Adamik missed training after flying back from England - the Under 21's and Seniors travelling together for morale, as well as financial reasons, Bac would suffer a further injury blow on Monday morning. Second-choice goalkeeper Vojin Prole , a summer signing who's poor form in preseason cost him a shot at the Number one jersey - would be out for a fortnight after twisting a knee in training. On Thursday he would be joined by Andrej Masarovic - a twisted ankle ruling him out for a week and leaving Fairway forced to contemplate the unthinkable - a recall for Hilek. Bac v MSK SCP Ruzemberok - League Unavailable Mihal Balaz - Injured (Groin, 1 Week) Tomas Albert - Injured (Groin, 6 Days) Andrej Masarovic - Injured (Ankle, 4 Days) Vojin Prole - Injured (Knee, 6 Days) The away fans' main question would soon be answered - Marian Solotruk on the bench, Glen Kaveney in midfield - and no place on the coach for Jaroslav Hilek. Though inevitably a talent, he had shot himself in the foot by publically complaining. Kaveney replaced the injured Svoboda in the only starting eleven change, while on the bench, young Adrian Porszek took the sub 'keeper position from the injured Prole. In a first half that - by anybody's standards - was quiet, with only three real chances, both sides tried to make an impression - Ruzemberok seeing a Kurty shot drift wide, while Bac did put the ball in the net, only for Mikulec to be adjudged offside. It wouldn't take much Second half action for the visitors to legtimatley go ahead - on 52 Marian Marek's brilliant cushioned header from a Mikulec crossfield pass allowing Seto Nurdinatoro the chance to practically walk the ball into the net. Nine minutes later 'keeper Mucha was again beaten - this time Seto Nurdinatoro chasing onto a long Forrest pass, shrugging off Mikulas before netting with a low, curling shot into the corner. Though the game looked over, Ruzemberok found some fight - and on 75, Jelsic saw first 'keeper Gardosik, then a brave, diving challenge from Eddie Forrest denying him a goal. 10 minutes later all hopes of a comeback were dashed - Seto Nurdinatoro rattled in the best of his three - a glorious drive from the edge of the box after a run from the edge of the centre circle. By then it was too late - Jozef Jelsic got one on 89 anyway after beating both Forrest and Majernik - but the day - again - belonged to a certain Indonesian. Bac 3 - Ruzemberok 1 (Nurdinatoro 3) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove (Replaced Szijjarto 76), Ernak, Majernik, Forrest, Cisar, Mikulec, Kaveney, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 3rd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 11, 2004 Author Share Posted January 11, 2004 While Seto Nurdinatoro would be recieving all the plaudits for an incredible third hatrick, taking him to 14 goals in just 11 League starts and substitute appearances for Bac, Fairway spent Monday on the phone - not in the process of signing a player, but in the process of getting rid of one - again circulating out-of-favour Jaroslav Hilek's details to all clubs in Slovakia. DAC Dunajska Streda v Bac - Slovakian FA Cup Quarter Final - First Leg Unavailable Mihal Balaz - Injured (Groin, 4 Days) Tomas Albert - Injured (Groin, 3 Days) Peter Svoboda - Injured (Shoulder, 2 Weeks) Andrej Masarovic - Injured (Ankle, 1 Day) Vojin Prole - Injured (Knee, 5 Days) With Balaz, Albert, Masarovic and Prole still a few days away from full fitness, Fairway would go with an unchanged side for the first leg of a game his team should - and are heavily predicted - to win comfortably. After relegation from Division Two last season, Dun. Streda have lost many of their stars, including striker Peter Bognar and influential midfielder Robert Stros. Despite an early scare - Gardosik forced to save from Luptak - Bac created chance after chance throughout the first half, and should have made the breakthrough long before Seto Nurdinatoro bagged his fifth goal in three games with a trademark low drive after Marek's flicked on header. They continued to pressurise after the break - but with 'keeper Santa in inspired form, were finding chances increasingly hard to come by as legs tired. On 67 the ball was whisked to the other end - and when Nemeth crossed, it was ex-Bac midfielder Ivan Bugar who saw his header parried into the path of Tomas Luptak. The DACarena erupted - the Non-Leaguers level - and Dun. Streda settled in for a siege. Benko shot over when it would have been easier to score - Marek and Nurdinatoro in equally merciful form in front of goal - and Bac will only have the bonus of an away goal, rather than a lead, to comfort them ahead of the Second Leg. Dun. Streda 1 - Bac 1 (Nurdinatoro) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove (Replaced 68 Szijjarto), Ernak, Majernik, Forrest, Cisar, Mikulec, Kaveney ,Horky* (Replaced 68 Benko), Marek, Nurdiantoro Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 11, 2004 Author Share Posted January 11, 2004 Thursday morning, and a return for Tomas Albert - back from specialist physiotheraphy on a long-standing groin problem that has seen his season not get off to any sort of start. A day later Mihal Balaz - the loanee hitman who would become a permanent Bac aquisition in January - would be fit enough to return as well. The striker, 21, had a mixed start to his loan spell - scoring in his only start, then making two sub appearences before tearing a groin muscle and recieving a two-month injury layoff. Inter Bratislava v Bac - League Unavailable Peter Svoboda - Injured (Shoulder, 1 Week) Vojin Prole - Injured (Knee, 1 Day) With Balaz and Masarovic recalled to the bench, Fairway again decided against tinkering with his starting lineup - Svoboda still a week or so away from a return to fitness, and Nurdinatoro still in superb form up front. After a nondescript start, Inter broke the deadlock in superb fashion on 10 minutes - Peter Petras rifling home from 30 yards after a sublime chipped pass from Marek Holly. On a bitterly cold day the action seemed sparse - but on 27, Marian Marek's shot on the turn would make it 1-1 with one of only four chances of the entire first half. After the break - with Bac making three changes, including the withdrawal of Seto Nurdiantoro with a knock - the game was an entirely different affair. On 51 Nurdinatoro's replacement, Mihal Balaz , scored just six minutes into his return from injury - a first shot blocked by Hyll, but the rebound planted firmly into the far corner, giving the 'keeper no chance. With Bac in cruise mode, Peter Petras' second - a header from Paulik's corner on 70 - certainly wasn't appreciated. Seven minutes later they were in disarray - a corner this time floated to the far post for Marian Cisovsky to bundle over. For a moment, it looked like Bac had thrown away three points - but in the end, they were able to salvage one. With the clock showing 87 Mihal Balaz met Marian Marek's cross with a firm header - and though 'keeper Hyll managed to parry, Balaz reacted quickest, stabbing home from close range to bring an entertaining game to a satisfactory conclusion for the neutral. Inter 3 - Bac 3 (Marek, Balaz 2) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Forrest (Replaced 45 Adamik), Cisar, Mikulec (Replaced 45 Benko), Kaveney, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro (Replaced 45 Balaz) Bac Position After Game; 3rd <pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Zilina | | 15 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 27 | 14 | +13 | 31 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Petrzalka | | 15 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 23 | 14 | +9 | 26 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | BAC | | 15 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 22 | +7 | 24 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Ruzomberok | | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 27 | 18 | +9 | 23 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Inter Bratislava | | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 24 | 26 | -2 | 23 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Puchov | | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 18 | 21 | -3 | 19 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Trnava | | 15 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 18 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Dubnica | | 15 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 17 | 25 | -8 | 16 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Slovan Bratislava | | 15 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 27 | -11 | 14 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Trencin | | 15 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 19 | 33 | -14 | 13 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 12, 2004 Author Share Posted January 12, 2004 With word reaching Fairway that one of his former clubs as a player - if only for a single season in the mid-90's where he played just seven times - had sacked their manager, the usual flurry of speculation would spring up around Bac. It was though only of the most idle kind - Fairway publically saying that he would be suprised if Tottenham had even heard of Bac, let alone consider him as a replacement for Ruud Gullit. Bac v DAC Dunajska Streda - Slovakian FA Cup Quarter Final - Second Leg Unavailable Peter Svoboda - Injured (Shoulder, 6 Days) Svoboda still Bac's only absentee - Nurdinatoro suffering no ill-effects despite being withdrawn with a knock against Inter Bratislava - would lead to just one change, and even then only on the bench - Prole replacing Porszek as sub 'keeper. Bac certainly made the most of the early running - Marek coming close with an early header - but on 18, they were forced into a change when Pavol Majernik departed in some pain - Adamik replacing him. It didn't seem to affect Bac - a howitzer from fully 30 yards from Marcel Horky skimming the bar, before on 39 the deadlock was finally broken. Horky's chipped ball into the mixer looked to cause all sorts of trouble - but not for Marian Marek , who attacked it with visible intent, heading the home side ahead. It was a lead they cemented on the hour with the first chance of the Second Half - Pavol Mikulec and Seto Nurdinatoro combining for the latter to square, and Marian Marek to simply tap into the unguarded net from a few yards out. Dun. Streda were generally poor - never troubling Bac 'keeper Gardosik, who didn't have a save to make - and on 75, Bac had time to pick their passes for a stunning third. Masarovic and Cisar both involved - but the real plaudits should go to Vlastimil Benko, who cut inside before passing to the unmarked Marian Marek - his hatrick completed with a powerful shot past 'keeper Santa. It would be an unhappy return to Bac-Stadion for Ivan Bugar - Captaining his side to defeat, a personal poor performance and a booking to boot - Bac in the Semis. Bac 3 - Dun. Streda 0 (Marek 3) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak (Replaced 71 Benko), Majernik (Replaced 18 Adamik), Forrest, Cisar, Mikulec, Kaveney (Replaced 71 Masarovic), Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac win 4-1 on Aggregate Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 12, 2004 Author Share Posted January 12, 2004 Wednesday morning - and it's bad news on Pavol Majernik . The defender, who has been in superb form since his £30,000 arrival from Senec - has broken a shoulder, and will be ruled out for around a month. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - Wednesday 2/11/05 'Bac to Berok in Cup' "Bac have drawn Ruzemberok in the Semi-Finals of the Slovakian FA Cup, a competition which Bac won for the first time two seasons ago. When the two sides met in the League last month, Bac ran out easy 3-1 winners with Seto Nurdinatoro claiming a hatrick - and fans will be hoping for a repeat. Manager Stuart Fairway however is less confident - telling BO.sk; "It'll be a very tough, hard-fought game - you can't compare a League game to the Semi Final of the Cup. I'd love to get to the final again - I'd love to win it again - but Ruzemberok are no easy task". In the other game, Trnava face Inter Bratislava." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> While the Semi Final would not be until the spring, it would still be high on the agenda of things to discuss during the week. The press had already made Bac favourites to recapture the trophy - although it would be a brave Bac player who mentioned such things around their manager. On Thursday Bac would suffer another injury - 'forgotten man' Matt Hillyer ruled out for 2 weeks with a Back strain sustained in training. AS Trencin v Bac - League Unavailable Peter Svoboda - Injured (Shoulder, 2 Days) Pavol Majernik - Injured (Shoulder, 1 Month) Matt Hillyer - Injured (Back, 2 Weeks) With Slovakian Under 21 international Adamik a shoe-in to replace the injured Majernik, Fairway would only be making that one, enforced change for the trip to still-struggling Trencin. It took just three minutes for their problems to take another hit - Andrej Cisar teasing and tormenting Svrcek with a run that took him into the area, before crossing. It was just behind Marian Marek, his intended target - but steaming in, Andrej Ernak was on hand to rifle home from outside the area - his 25-yard strike a contender for Goal of the Month. 10 minutes later Marian Marek would be in the right place - his header from Pavol Mikulec's near post corner leading to another chorus of anti-management chants by the home fans. On 15 things got worse - Milan Micinec booked for a foul, then dismissed for talking himself into a second yellow card - and any hopes of a comeback were dead. Bac ran riot, with young Trencin 'keeper Volesak having a fine game to deny a real thrashing. By the break, Trencin had one sent off and five others booked - two more would follow by full time. The Second half though was a different affair - Trencin having their solitary chance of the game - their first bright passing move interrupted by an offside flag - while Marek, Benko and Horky - who had a 25-yard drive tipped round the post - all taking turns to threaten Volesak's goal. 2-0 it finished - but one can only assume Bac were in merciful mood. Trencin 0 - Bac 2 (Ernak, Marek) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Adamik, Forrest, Cisar, Mikulec (Replaced Benko 66), Kaveney, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro (Replaced Balaz 66) Bac Position After Game; 2nd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 12, 2004 Author Share Posted January 12, 2004 ----------------------------------------------------- While Bac's front men may have been in merciful mood, after the game the Trencin board certainly weren't - by midnight, manager Anton Janos had been dismissed, with Chairman Mrva telling the press that a new manager would bring a different approach to the team. Monday morning, and a long-awaited return for Peter Svoboda . The midfielder - easily one of Bac's gems - had been out with a broken shoulder. By Wednesday his place in the treatment room was already filled - Ladislav Szijjarto booking in for 3 weeks with a dislocated jaw, sustained in an accident at home. FK ZTS Dubnica nad Vahom v Bac - League Unavailable Pavol Majernik - Injured (Shoulder, 4 Weeks) Ladislav Szijjarto - Injured (Jaw, 3 Weeks) Matt Hillyer - Injured (Back, 4 Days) Bac's penultimate game before the winter break would be marked with a change - suprising nobody, Peter Svoboda returned in place of Glen Kaveney in the centre of midfield. After just four minutes though it would be the Dubnica fans celebrating - Kiska's run and cross leading to some superb 'keeping - Gardiosik twice denying Pavol Straka from point-blank range, before - third time lucky - the striker was able to find the corner and put his side ahead. On 9 with their first chance it would be Bac who drew level - Seto Nurdinatoro coolly slotting home after picking up on a Marcel Horky through ball. In what was rapidly becoming a very even game, Dubnica seemed to push for the second early on - Gardosik denying Dovicovic and Straka in quick succession. On 30 though they would be simply statuesque - Zatek playing Seto Nurdinatoro onside, with the Indonesian making no mistake after Marian Marek had put him away. Six minutes later Dubnica levelled - a Pavol again pegging them back, but this time Right Back Pavol Supka - heading home from an inswinging corner. With Fairway introducing the tricky Kaveney for a quiet Mikulec at the break, Bac came out revitalised in the Second Half - and quickly took the lead. On 59 Peter Svoboda marked his return with an arcing pass, and Seto Nurdinatoro made no mistake - hitting a first time volley past a stranded Postrk into the corner. Four minutes later Marian Marek got his name on the scoresheet - a sublime ball from Marcel Horky picking the Dubnica defensive lock, and Marek making no mistake with a drive into the roof of the net. There would be a further twist in the tale - Pavol Straka scoring for the second time on 75 to set up a tense finale - but if anything, it should have been a fifth for Bac rather than an equaliser - Kaveney shooting straight at the 'keeper after one of his runs from deep. Dubnica 3 - Bac 4 (Nurdinatoro 3, Marek) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Adamik, Forrest, Cisar, Mikulec (Replaced Kaveney 45), Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 2nd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 12, 2004 Author Share Posted January 12, 2004 While a late knock for Marian Marek would see him with nothing more serious than a sore shoulder on Sunday morning, Robert Lovegrove could essentially start his Christmas break early - the right back picked up a booking against Dubnica, taking him to four - a one-game ban the result. On Friday Ernest Lopu would join him - the front man picking up a groin strain in training, which would rule him out for a fortnight. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> News of the World - Football - Sunday 20/11/05 'Plenty to do - Austria Hold England' "England go into Wednesday's Second Leg of their World Cup Qualifying Playoff with work to do - but two away goals - after a 2-2 draw in Austria. Captain David Beckham put England ahead on 17, but just two minutes later, Austria's Rolf Landerl struck to level. Wayne Rooney capped a fine run with a cute finish on the half hour, but in the second half, that man Landerl struck again to leave both sides in the tie. At centre back Steven Taylor of Inter Milan made his debut, and looked a fine player - most fans will not have seen the 19-year old since his days at Newcastle, where he broke into the team as a 17-year old before his move to Italy." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> While he wanted to keep things as normal as possible, by the early part of the week Fairway was clearly tense - a proud patriot, he desperatley wanted to see England go on to reach World Cup 2006 - and emulate their Euro 2004 victory. For new AS Trencin manager Zdenek Navratil such thoughts were out of the question - a more impending battle to stay in the top flight all that would be occupying his mind following his appointment on Monday. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> The Sun - Football - Thursday 24/11/05 'Boy Wonder strikes again - England Reach Finals' "England have qualified for the World Cup in Germany next summer thanks to a brace from Real Madrid's Wayne Rooney . The former Everton striker, just 20 but with 24 Caps and 9 goals at international level, scored twice to rescue England after a ninth minute Markus Berger spot-kick had given Austria the lead on the night, and on aggregate. Suprisingly, given his accomplished debut, Sven-Goran Eriksson left Steven Taylor out of his side - but he - like Rooney, Beckham and the rest - will be confident of a place in the finals squad. England have also announced a warmup freindly next April - Wales the opposition in Cardiff, in what's sure to be a passion-filled game. France, Portugal and Italy - who needed an away goal to see off Ukraine - have also qualified through the playoffs. Hosts Germany, Denmark, England, France, Greece, Holland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romaina, Russia, Scotland and Wales will also be involved from Europe - three Home Nations a massive success for Britain. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> They had done it - and Fairway was relieved. He could now concentrate fully on that final game of 2005 - a win would surely see his side set up well for a potentially crucial trip to Zilina on the first day back in 2006. Bac v Slovan Bratislava - League Unavailable Pavol Majernik - Injured (Groin, 2 Weeks) Ladislav Szijjarto - Injured (Jaw, 1 Week) Ernest Lopu - Injured (Groin, 1 Week) Robert Lovegrove - Suspended (1 of 1) With Lovegrove's suspension coupled to an injury to backup right back Szijjarto, Fairway would have something of a selection dillema for the final time in 2005. He decided to replace the Englishman at Right Back with Andrej Cisar - handing Andrej Masarovic a starting berth on the right of midfield. For a side looking for their fifth win on the bounce, it would - unsuprisingly - be the only change. Slovan got out the blocks quicker, with early chances for Slahor and Obzera. Bac started to get to grips with the game soon after, and on 32, opened the scoring. A fine ball from Peter Svoboda caused real panic in the Slovan defence - and Seto Nurdinatoro ran on to stretch a leg and send the ball into the net. Two minutes later justice would be restored, with Branislav Obzera brilliantly volleying home from Samuel Slovak's far post cross. The game slowed after an entertaining opening but immediatley after the break there was something a bit special. A fine Svoboda pass set up the move - sub Balaz and Mikulec swapping volleyed passes before the latter found Seto Nurdinatoro , to slide the ball into the corner to complete a fantastic move and claim a fantastic goal. It was three soon after - Andrej Cisar's shot hitting the woodwork - Seto Nurdinatoro yet again on hand to tap home the loose ball. With Slovan falling by the wayside Bac would grab another - Mihal Balaz picking his spot after Nurdinatoro turned provider, completing a well-worked move from close range. Bac 4 - Slovan 1 (Nurdinatoro 3, Balaz) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Cisar, Ernak, Adamik, Forrest, Masarovic, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek (Replaced 45 Balaz), Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 2nd <pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Zilina | | 18 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 35 | 17 | +18 | 37 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | BAC | | 18 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 39 | 26 | +13 | 33 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Ruzomberok | | 18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 33 | 21 | +12 | 29 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Inter Bratislava | | 18 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 28 | 32 | -4 | 27 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Petrzalka | | 18 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 24 | 19 | +5 | 27 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Trnava | | 18 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 23 | 20 | +3 | 25 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Puchov | | 18 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 22 | 23 | -1 | 25 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Slovan Bratislava | | 18 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 21 | 33 | -12 | 18 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Dubnica | | 18 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 20 | 33 | -13 | 16 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Trencin | | 18 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 19 | 40 | -21 | 13 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 12, 2004 Author Share Posted January 12, 2004 Sunday morning and Puchov manager Stefan Zatko announced his resignation at exactly the wrong time - six hours before a home game against Trencin. It certainly didn't seem to upset the players - Puchov ran out easy 3-0 winners - leaving everyone reflecting on the sort of stories football throws up from time to time. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - 1/12/05 'Double Joy for Bac in Awards' "The Monthly awards have been kind to Bac - with Andrej Ernak winning goal of the Month and Seto Nurdinatoro player of the Month for November. Nurdinatoro's award is hardly a suprise - he scored two hatricks in November - but left back Ernak will be delighted to claim Goal of the Month for his thunderous drive against Trencin." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Before Fairway departed for his annual holiday back home on December 15th, he would see Ladislav Szijjarto, Ernest Lopu and Pavol Majernik all returning. There would however, be a sour taste in the manager's mouth as he left - Marcel Horky out of training for 2 Months with a torn groin muscle. Aside from wishing Horky well, Fairway would also have one further task before heading to the airport - he had decided to offer veteran Vlastimil Benko a contract extension, with the winger the only Bac player of note to see his deal expire in the coming summer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 12, 2004 Author Share Posted January 12, 2004 Chapter 6 - Punching Above Their Weight? After a pleasant and much needed break, Fairway returned on the 7th of January - to a list from Tibor Nemeth. <UL TYPE=SQUARE> <LI> Vlastimil Benko signs new contract (3/1/06) <LI> Tottenham Hotspur appoint Dane Jens Bangsbo as Manager <LI> Puchov appoint Vladimir Wiess as Manager <LI> Robert Pires voted World Player of the Year, Arsenal Colleague Patrick Viera World Footballer of the Year <LI> Vincent Candela (AS Roma) is European Footballer of the Year Three days later - as Marian Solotruk contemplated a two week layoff with a shoulder strain, Second Division strugglers appointed former Brazilian international Djalminha as manager in a move that would suprise many. The big news though would come in Bac - Mihal Balaz' £20,000 transfer from Hannover 96 completing without a hitch - new Hannover manager Andy Brehme sending his best wishes to the player in a move that seemed appreciated. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - Saturday 14/1/06 'Hilek Sacked by Bac' "Bac manager Stuart Fairway has released midfielder Jaroslav Hilek . Hilek signed for Bac during the summer on a Bosman-style free transfer from Senec, but fell out of favour when he publically complained about a lack of first team chances back in August. "We've paid off the remainder of his contract, and told him to find a new club" said Fairway. "We felt his presence did nobody any good at all, and after failing to get a fee, we decided it would be best for all concerned if we let him go" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> On Wednesday morning Fairway tied up his traditional late-February freindly - a chance for his players to ease themselves back into match action. That though would not be making headlines on Wednesday - a signing for Bac instead taking the front page news. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - Wednesday 18/1/06 'Young 'keeper signs' "Bac manager Stuart Fairway has added a fourth 'keeper to his squad - 18-Year old Slovakian Stefan Paraska signing on a free transfer. He came through youth ranks at Senec, and will hope to establish himself as Bac's first choice Under 19 Goalkeeper - with the Under 19's currently leading their League, Fairway will hope that Paraska can make an immediate impact. Elsewhere at the club a Friendly has been arranged - with Bac travelling to Non-League ZSNP Ziar nad Hronom on Wednesday 22nd February. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Sunday, and more transfer news - and another departure. At the moment, Marian Solotruk's move to Duslo Sala is only a six-month loan deal - but with the 31-Year old out of contract at the end of the season, it would suprise nobody if the deal was made permanent - or another club came in for the midfielder - in the summer. Eight days later (Monday) it would be transfer deadline day - and Ladislav Szijjarto would be ruled out for 3 weeks after another freak fall at home left him with his second dislocated jaw of the season. Deadline day would pass without incident for Fairway - with no transfer funds left in the kitty after spending £50,000 on two players earlier in the season, he would be unable to add to his squad now until the summer. Thursday - another injury - Robert Patras ruled out for two weeks with a groin strain - but on Sunday, a move which had looked likely for a long time finally happened. Slovan Bratislava are one of Slovakia's big clubs - and having not won the league since 1999 is definatley a suprise. It wasn't looking likely to happen with Libor Faisang in charge, and the Czech's dismissal will see the Capital's Premier side looking for a new manager to revitalise them in the Second half of the season. Monday morning, and a return to training for club captain Marcel Horky after his torn groin muscle. Fairway would give him - and the remainder of his usual starting eleven - their chance to ease back into match action with a freindly game against Non-League side Ziar Hronom. ZSNP Ziar nad Hronom v Bac - Friendly Just like last season, Fairway would stay with a first choice side for the now traditional mid-season freindly - desperatley wanting his players to get some match fitness after the long winter off. On a testing, sticky surface - not ideal for players returning from injury, Bac initially struggled, then went ahead through Seto Nurdinatoro . Petras equalised early in the Second half, before Lubos Basista had a simple task to roll home on the hour. On 67 Erik Takac's powerful running saw Seto Nurdinatoro smash home a stunning shot on the volley, but soon after Mihcal Kovac reinstated the home sides' lead. This time Bac wouldn't recover - with Fairway visibly seething at the fourth official for refusing to even acknowledge his complaints about the pitch and weather - and Petras would score on 89 to wrap up a hard-fought win for Hronom. Ziar Nad Hronom 4 - Bac 2 (Nurdinatoro 2) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 13, 2004 Author Share Posted January 13, 2004 After the disapointment of their freindly defeat, Bac's players and staff would be fully focussed on that trip to League leaders Zilina - with the gap between the sides just four points, an away win could make the second half of the season very interesting indeed. Second Division strugglers Kys. Lieskovec's season would certainly change anyway - on Sunday, manager Vladimir Goffa recieved his P45 with the side who finished 4th last season now right down at the wrong end - languishing 15th in the table with only 14 Games to go. MSK Zilina v Bac - League No injuries, Second visiting Top - this a game that Bac fans have been looking forward to since the end of November. From the side who started 2005's last game, Fairway made two changes, with Lovegrove replacing Masarovic and Majernik back after injury for Adamik in defence. After an early scare with Gardosik equal to a Fabus volley, Bac took the lead with their first chance on 15 - Marian Marek shooting home after Pavol Mikulec nodded a clearance back into the danger zone. 35 seconds later Zilina were level - Gottwald and Pinte combining for the latter to plant a cross onto Martin Fabus' head - the Slovakian international having the easiest of tasks to make it 1-1. Fabus should have doubled the lead - and his personal tally - on 23 - woefully miscueing a shot over the bar after Gardosik had blocked Barszik's lob. Immediatley after the interval - with Bac seemingly still enjoying a half time cuppa - Michal Gottwald scored a deserved goal in some style - smashing a low shot under the diving Gardosik. Bac seemed to throw away any chance of a comeback on 62 - Eddie Forrest sent off for a second bookable offence - talking himself into a second card for dissent after a crude kick on the busy Fabus. Fairway's rantings, ravings and substitutions seemed to have an effect - both Kaveney and Balaz coming close immediatley after the dismissal. Bac would leave it late - but would get a deserved equaliser. Kaveney's late replacement for Benko - a painful looking knock above the knee seemed to signal the end for many away supporters, but any turning for home would have missed the decider. With the clock showing 93 Marian Marek crashed home from inside the area after Marcel Horky's headed pass caught the Zilina defence waving for an offside flag that would never come. Despite having Forrest sent off for stupidity, Bac were deserving of a draw - a highly entertaining game to return both sides to League action. Zilina 2 - Bac 2 (Marek 2) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Forrest, Cisar, Mikulec (Replaced Kaveney 58, Replaced Benko 89), Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro (Replaced 58 Balaz) Bac Position After Game; 2nd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 13, 2004 Author Share Posted January 13, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - Sunday 5/3/05 'View from the Cheap Seats - A Season-Ticket Holder Speaks - Forrest Disgrace' "So Eddie Forrest saw red again yesterday? - What a suprise. Since joining Bac, he has been sent off five times - three of them this season - which is nothing short of disgraceful. Eddie, you are a good player, but cut out the backchat and the needless fouling. I think I speak for many Bac fans when I say Stuart Fairway - get Forrest playing properly, or get rid" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Hauling the Scot into his office, Fairway read his defender the article - giving him a copy of it to read as well as an official warning - something the defender struggled to accept - telling Fairway he was disapointed to recieve a warning for what he considered unfair treatment by referees. The early part of the week would be no better - Michal Filo (Leg) and Erik Takac (Ribs) both succumbing to training ground injuries. Bac v Spartak Trnava - League Unavailable Erik Takac - Injured (Chest, 2 Weeks) Eddie Forrest - Suspended (1 of 1) With their first home game of 2006, Fairway would have to make a single change - Eddie Forrest suspended, with Jozef Adamik stepping in to replace him. It took Bac all of two minutes to go ahead - Marian Marek rising to head an Ernak cross home from close range. Trnava struggled to get the ball forward early on - Kozuch's shot drifting wide - but on 26, it was Bac who were celebrating again. A well-worked move by Andrej Ernak and Seto Nurdinatoro ended with the latter crossing - Marian Marek on hand again to glance home a header - a goal which was followed up by a third 10 minutes later. With Marian Marek putting in a sensational personal performance, the striker claimed his hatrick after Seto Nurdiantoro had fired a shot across the face of goal. If Bac thought it would be all one sided stuff they would be mistaken - on 50, Roman Konecky rose above the pack to guide home a Fall free kick, and bring the scoreline back to one that perhaps flattered the visitors. Though Trnava did have the majority of Second Half chances - Kozuch very busy in attack - they just couldn't make the breakthrough, and it would be Bac who sealed their win with a late goal. Marcel Horky's big, booming lob forward caused all sorts of panic in the away defence, and when it bounced loose there was only one destination - Marian Marek steering home to claim his, and Bac's, fourth of a very impressive performance. Bac 4 - Trnava 1 (Marek 4) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Adamik, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 2nd <pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Zilina | | 20 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 37 | 20 | +17 | 38 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | BAC | | 20 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 45 | 29 | +16 | 37 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Inter Bratislava | | 20 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 32 | 35 | -3 | 31 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Petrzalka | | 20 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 27 | 21 | +6 | 30 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Ruzomberok | | 20 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 36 | 26 | +10 | 30 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Trnava | | 20 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 26 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Puchov | | 20 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 27 | 29 | -2 | 26 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Slovan Bratislava | | 20 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 22 | 36 | -14 | 21 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Dubnica | | 20 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 23 | 33 | -10 | 20 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Trencin | | 20 | 5 | 2 | 13 | 21 | 41 | -20 | 17 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 13, 2004 Author Share Posted January 13, 2004 As ever, there would be a sting in the tail. On nine minutes - something which went unnoticed after his later heroics - Marian Marek picked up a booking for diving - which would bring him to four, and see him suspended for a single game. With Zilina slipping up against struggling Slovan, Stuart Fairway addressed the media on Tuesday - in a statement perhaps aimed more at his players than the press. Despite claiming his 'delight' at their performances and position after the first 20 of 36 games, he told the press (and/or players) that any talk of the Championship was a 'fantasy', and that though his side were good, they were no match for Zilina. FK Matador Puchov v Bac - League Unavailable Erik Takac - Injured (Chest, 5 Days) Marian Marek - Suspended (1 of 1) Without four-goal hero Marek Fairway made two changes to a side who could go top with a win. The suspended striker was replaced by the obvious choice - Mihal Balaz - while at the back, Eddie Forrest earnt a recall for an unusually tired Jozef Adamik, despite his comments last week. After Presov got off to a fine start, the home side took the lead on 18 - Forrest tripping Reiter, to allow Marcel Majoros, on loan from PSV Eindhoven, the chance to bend in a free kick before Gardosik had even had time to dive. It set the scene for the first half - Puchov's Brazilian winger James Dens doing well, before Breska forced Gardosik into a fine save from his bullet header on 40. With Svoboda replaced by Kaveney at the break Bac seemed a different side - on 57 Balaz' header was hooked off the line but on 65 Seto Nurdiantoro went one better - heading home a Pavol Mikulec corner to make it 1-1. It was a goal Bac scarcely deserved, and 10 minutes later Pavol Piatka cancelled it out - heading home from a corner to put the home side back ahead. With seconds left any, remote, hope of a point would be taken from the visitors - Mario Zavaternik heading home from a corner. For a side second in the league, it would seem Bac need to work on defending set pieces. Puchov 3 - Bac 1 (Nurdinatoro) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Forrest (Replaced 64 Adamik), Cisar (Replaced 64 Masarovic), Mikulec, Svoboda (Replaced 45 Kaveney), Horky*, Balaz, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 2nd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 13, 2004 Author Share Posted January 13, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Slovakia-Today - Football - Tuesday 21/3/05 'Trencin slap £500,000 price tag on teenager' "Struggling AS Trencin have slapped a £500,000 fee on former Slovakian Schoolboy Captain Jozef Hrivnak . Hrivnak, 17, has recentley signed pro forms with the club he supported as a youngster. Earlier in the season he was linked with a move to fellow top flight side FC Druzstevnik Bac <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Fairway read the article in disbelief. Half a million for a player with no First team experience yet? - he would not be making the bid he had hoped to in the summer. It put a little bit of a downer on the day for the manager - watching Zilina stretch their lead to five points with a 3-1 win over Trencin in the evening didn't help either - but at least he would have Marek back tomorrow. Bac v FC Artmedia Petrzalka - League Unavailable Erik Takac - Injured (Chest, 1 Day) With a heavy thumping at Puchov behind them - and Marian Marek returned to a starting berth up front - Fairway would have almost a full squad to select from for the first of three home games, with only fringe winger Takac on the sidelines. As it was, he just made the one change - Marek in for Balaz - and Bac seemed to benefit from his presence, dominating the first half without scoring, and playing with a style and swagger about them that had been missing in recent games. After the break Bac shifted to a more direct approach, but with Marcel Horky never needing any extra help to have a dig from distance anyway, they seemed to waste several chances where their usual neat passing game would have reaped dividends. With the game seemingly drifting towards a draw it suddenley livened up in the final quarter - Soltis getting the range right, but not the power for the visitors on 79 - sending a shot from the edge of the area over the top - before Bac opened the scoring with seven minutes remaining. A long pass finally paid off - Ernak finding Marian Marek , who shrugged off two before firing past 'keeper Lipcak. A minute later he was at it again - Seto Nurdinatoro turning provider, with a deft pass for Marian Marek to hammer past Lipcak from fully 25 yards. It was a game of contrasts - the first half very poor, the second more interesting than entertaining with a change of style from Bac - but the three points - and pressure on leaders Zilina - remain. Bac 2 - Petrzalka 0 (Marek 2) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Forrest, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 2nd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 13, 2004 Author Share Posted January 13, 2004 With the win came more good news on the training ground - Erik Takac fit again after cracking ribs a fortnight or so back. After Trencin publically threw down the gauntlet on any deal for Jozef Hrivnak , Fairway decided on a little media-management of his own on Friday - letting it be known in the guise of a 'Bac Source' that he did rate the teenager, and was considering making him his main summer target. Two can play at that game. Bac v Inter Bratislava - League With Takac fit, Fairway would have his first fully fit squad in some time to choose from for the visit of improving Inter. Again, rarely for this season, he would decide against tinkering with his starting eleven - the final game of March potentially another opportunity to go top of the League. After a quiet start Bac took the lead on nine in extrordinary circumstances - Robert Lovegrove's hopeful 60-yard pass seeing defender Horvath and 'keeper Hyll collide on the edge of the area - Marian Marek picking up the pieces to tap home from close range. After the fortunate nature of their goal, it only seemed fair that Inter levelled on 15 in more orthodox fashion - Halenar's cross to the far post powered home by Peter Petras. Two minutes later Bac again picked holes - this time Horky and Marek comibing to play in Seto Nurdinatoro - the Indonesian striker slamming a low shot into the corner, with Hyll still seemingly suffering the after effects of his collision. If he was, he didn't show it - Nurdinatoro denied with a fabulous save on 28 - but on 40, Nurdinatoro turned provider, Marian Marek fired home from the middle of the area - and after a very quiet second half which saw only a booking for Svoboda go in the incidents column, Bac won at a canter. Bac 3 - Inter 1 (Marek 2, Nurdinatoro) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Majernik, Forrest, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 2nd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 13, 2004 Author Share Posted January 13, 2004 Monday - and while Trencin were again publically ruling out the sale of Jozef Hrivnak , events closer to home were drawing more attention to Bac. After his dismissals - and subsequent complaints over what Fairway felt was a fully justified warning - Eddie Forrest would be linked with a move all week. As it is, Fairway only received three bids for the defender - all three deals falling down at key points of negociations. The only Slovakian Club to express an interest, Puchov , offered £20,000 - less than Fairway's £40,000 valuation - while two Scottish sides, Queen of the South and St Johnstone both offered cash plus player deals - forgetting to mention neither player fancied a move to Slovakia. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - Saturday 1/4/05 'Marek Award Light Relief for Bac' "After a week which has seen defender Eddie Forrest publically complain about manager Stuart Fairway, Bac supporters will be pleased to see that Marian Marek has won Player of the Month for March. The striker - who also saw his strike against Petrzalka voted #3 in Goal of the Month - has been in fine form, with the awards commitee unanimously deciding the 23-goal hitman deserved the accolade. Meanwhile, Bac have also announced that Physio Martin Suchy has signed an extension to his contract, keeping him at Bac-Stadion until the summer of 2011. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> While Marian Marek was gaining another piece of silverwear for the cabinet, England - Much to Fairway's disapointment - went down by a single goal in Cardiff to Wales in a Freindly game, losing thanks to a Robbie Savage strike in the first half. The only uncapped player in the squad, Jody Craddock, failed to make the selected eleven. Bac v AS Trencin - League No injuries - but one notable absentee. Eddie Forrest has possibly played his last game for Bac, dropped from the side to face Trencin to be replaced by Jozef Adamik. In another incident of horse-trading between the sides Trencin included 'the targeted one' - Hrivnak - on the bench, in what would be his senior debut should he make the field at any time. If not, it would be a chance to see the surroundings that - depending on who you believe - he could be playing in a lot more often next season. With all the pre-game discussions, it could have been easy to forget there was a game on. The referee certainly didn't - awarding Bac a penalty on 18 for a push on Nurdinatoro - and Peter Svoboda made no mistake, scoring from the spot to put the home side ahead. Bac would have plenty more chances - but on 40 they would score again - Seto Nurdinatoro firing home from a deflected Lovegrove cross. Trencin's first chance wouldn't come until the 52nd minute - but when it did, they made no mistake - Michal Kubala shooting through a crowd to make it 2-1. With the scoreline close Bac were temporarily forced onto the back foot - Micenec coming close with a header - before Seto Nurdinatoro effectivley won it on 71. A hopeful ball from Cisar put him away, and with a powerful shot, the stiker killed Trencin off. They made changes soon after - Hrivnak making an assured debut in midfield - but even he would be unable to prevent a fourth goal late on. On 80 Seto Nurdinatoro completed yet another hatrick - this time firing home from an acute angle - leaving Bac's army of fans going home happy. Bac 4 - Trencin 1 (Svoboda, Nurdinatoro) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Adamik, Majernik, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 2nd Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 13, 2004 Author Share Posted January 13, 2004 With the press hailing the result as another on the road to a 'remarkable' season for Bac, Fairway decided to take stock. Any battles with Eddie Forrest could wait for now - keep this up, and Bac would be ploughing that lucrative European furrow again next season. MSK SCP Ruzemberok v Bac - League Forrest still very much on the fringe, but with this game, his replacement, Adamik, could afford to make no mistakes. A league game against the side his team would be up against in Tuesday's Cup Semi Final first Leg was mildly annoying, but Fairway would be making no changes - his team would go top with a win, should Zilina fail to gain all three points. Despite Bac coming close early on - a Marian Marek volley saved well by Mucha - Ruzemberok started the game as by far the better side, and as early as the fourth minute Zofcak forced a save with a curling free kick. The home side went on to dominate the first half - Miso and Jelsic in particular busy, the latter coming close twice - to fire a warning shot for the Cup Semi Final. Despite his side being somewhat on the back foot, Fairway decided against making any changes at the interval - and with the first chance of the second half, was nearly proved right - Marek heading straight at the 'keeper from a Cisar cross. As Bac slowly got into the game, Ruzemberok seemed to tire - and after Nurdinatoro had fired a shot straight at 'keeper Mucha on 82, the scene was set. A goal would come three minutes later - Pavol Mikulec scrambling to put the ball into the area and Marian Marek on hand to finish. It was scrappy - but enough. Ruzemberok crumbled after dominating for an hour without success, and in injury time, the win would be sealed. After Cisar was tripped by Popisil inside the box - a challenge which the defender was lucky to escape with only a booking - Peter Svoboda stepped up to make it two from the spot. An omen for the Semi? Ruzemberok 0 - Bac 2 (Marek, Svoboda) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Adamik, Majernik, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 2nd <pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Zilina | | 25 | 15 | 4 | 6 | 46 | 21 | +25 | 49 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | BAC | | 25 | 15 | 4 | 6 | 57 | 34 | +23 | 49 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Inter Bratislava | | 25 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 39 | 40 | -1 | 38 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Ruzomberok | | 25 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 40 | 31 | +9 | 37 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Puchov | | 25 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 34 | 36 | -2 | 35 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Petrzalka | | 25 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 27 | 25 | +2 | 33 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Trnava | | 25 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 28 | 35 | -7 | 29 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Dubnica | | 25 | 7 | 6 | 12 | 26 | 37 | -11 | 27 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Slovan Bratislava | | 25 | 7 | 5 | 13 | 26 | 41 | -15 | 26 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Trencin | | 25 | 7 | 2 | 16 | 28 | 51 | -23 | 23 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 13, 2004 Author Share Posted January 13, 2004 <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Daily Record - Football - Monday 10/4/05 'Morton to end Forrest Slovakia 'Hell'? "Reports from Slovakia are linking Grennock Morton with a £30,000 bid for Bac defender Eddie Forrest . Forrest, 27, had been an integral part of the Bac side, but after being criticised by his manager, Englishman Stuart Fairway , over his discapline on the pitch, has fallen out of favour. Last season he won the Division Two Championship in Slovakia with Bac, after a Bosman move from Partick Thistle - and had been a key part of the side this season before falling out of favour. Other clubs, including St.Johnstone, are said to be interested, but Morton's is the only offer acceptable to Bac so far" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> News travels quickly these days - Fairway had indeed accepted a straight cash offer of £30,000 for the defender - which, if completed, would give him not only a net profit, but see the club rid of a player who has become increasingly troublesome in recent weeks. MSK SCP Ruzemberok v Bac - Slovakian FA Cup Semi Final - First Leg With Forrest discussing terms with Morton's Chairman and therefore not able to travel, Fairway would leave the side unchanged from those eleven who won, but left it late, on Saturday - this time urging his team to not be the 'bait' for an hour, and instead get up and at them - it would be a Cup tie after all. Bac began well - quite unlike the league game - and within 8 minutes were ahead. Though defender Helbich did well to tackle Cisar, his clearance was poor - and when the midfielder again picked the ball up inside the box, an early cross was met with a powerful Marian Marek shot on the volley to put the visitors ahead. Five minutes later it was 1-1 - Ruzemberok working the ball to the left, before Had pulled a pass square - Marian Kurty levelling with a stunning, curling shot into the roof of the net. With Gallo coming close for the home side, and the game developing into an entertaining game, Marian Marek put the visitors ahead after a glorious counter-attacking move. After Adamik headed clear, Pavol Mikulec hit a long, looping ball over the top - Nurdinatoro chased for all it was worth, and played it through - Marek making no mistake with a truly end to end passing move. Just six minutes later Ruzemberok were level - in equally astonishing style. After Adamik leaned into Gallo, pushing the young striker, Igor Zofcak stepped up to curl a free kick into the roof of the net from the edge of the area. The half time break couldn't come soon enough for both sides, but soon after, Ruzemberok took the lead - Jozef Jelsic scramibling in from close range. Bac fell into an uncharacteristic lull - and on 76, fell further behind - Jelsic again on target from inside the area. As Bac clung on for dear life, Ruzemberok stormed forward - late offside calls denying clear-cut chances on two occasions - and it wasn't the walk in the park some had suggested for Bac. The second leg will be an interesting affair. Ruzemberok 4 - Bac 2 (Marek 2) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Adamik, Majernik, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda (Replaced 45 Kaveney), Horky* (Replaced 63 Benko), Marek, Nurdiantoro (Replaced 63 Balaz) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 13, 2004 Author Share Posted January 13, 2004 Wednesday morning - and still no news on Forrest. By Thursday - as Pat Rice swapped coaching at Arsenal for the managerial hotseat at Blackburn Rovers - the tension was mounting. On Friday Fairway recieved the news - Eddie Forrest had indeed agreed terms with Grennock Morton, and would leave the club when the transfer window reopened in July. His departure would bring an end to the days of five foreigners - perhaps for good. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bac-Online.sk - Football - Friday 14/4/06 'Fairway; "I want Slovak Backbone" "With yesterday's announcement that Scot Eddie Forrest is to leave Bac in the summer, manager Stuart Fairway has told BO.sk that in the future, he wants his side to have a 'backbone' of mainly Slovakian players. "I'm happy with the side at the moment" he said. "We've got two foreigners playing regularly - Robert Lovegrove and Seto Nurdinatoro, with Glen Kaveney often amongst the matchday squads, and then Eddie and Matt Hillyer in the reserves. We can only play four foreingers at a time anyway, and when Eddie leaves, I doubt - unless someone comes on the market who just has to be signed - we'll go for any more". It's well-known that Fairway has targeted a young Slovakian midfielder - Trencin's Jozef Hrivak - for purchase in the summer, and after letting it be known that he wants his side to be a breeding ground for young, homegrown talent, don't be too suprised to see further, younger, signings in the Transfer Window." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> While Fairway was giving his interview to the media, Andrej Masarovic picked up a groin strain in training, ruling him out for around a week. Slovan Bratislava v Bac - League Unavailable Andrej Masarovic - Injured (Groin, 1 Week) With the trip to managerless Slovan Bac's first chance to get things right again following their disapointing Cup result in midweek, Fairway resisted the temptation to make any changes to his side - with Adamik seemingly having no challengers for the central defensive role alongside the impressive Majernik, and Mihal Balaz still unable to dislodge Nurdinatoro or Marek from their starting berths. Bac started the brighter, and on 15 took the lead. Seto Nurdinatoro's powerful running carved out a fine opportunity - the Indonesian crossing, only for Obzera to handle - and earn a booking for his trouble. Marian Marek scored from the resulting penalty - and should have scored on 31, instead scuffing a weak shot straight at 'keeper Vencel. Despite Slovan pressure towards the end of the first half, it would be Bac who scored for the second time on 56. It was a chance out of nothing - Pavol Majernik's pass finding Seto Nurdinatoro, who clipped another magnificent pass - proving his game has improved since his arrival - picking out Marian Marek , who coolly slotted past Vencel. It should have killed the game off - Marek volleying over on the hour - but Slovan refused to give up, coming close through Samuel Slovak before Jan Slahor hooked home from the tightest of angles on 81. For a moment, a draw looked possible - Slovan had a free kick scrambled to safety on 85 - but right at the death, Bac sealed victory - not for the first time this season. An intelligent Kaveney pass saw Nurdinatoro speed forward - as the striker shaped to shoot, 'keeper Vencel rushed out, Nurdinatoro squared, and Marian Marek claimed his hatrick with a measured pass-like shot into the net from 12 yards out. Slovan 1 - Bac 3 (Marek 3) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove (Replaced 79 Szijjarto), Ernak, Adamik (Replaced 79 Albert), Majernik, Cisar, Mikulec (Replaced 79 Kaveney), Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 1st Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 13, 2004 Author Share Posted January 13, 2004 With the double morale boost of a victory and First place in the League for only the second time this season, Fairway led his side into three focused training sessions - with players brought in on Sunday for extra work. Not - this time - for punishment, but merely for extra practice, which they would need if they were to have a chance of overturning the 2-goal aggregate defecit in the Second Leg of the Cup Semi final. Challenging on two fronts? - Now that they were top, Bac had to be taken seriously as League contenders - but would they reach the Cup final too? Whatever, they would have to try and do it without inspirational captain Marcel Horky . Though he struggled to complete the Slovan game, Horky had picked up a knock early in the Second Half - later confirmed as a groin strain that would see him miss a week - his first absences of the season on the cards. Bac v MSK SCP Ruzemberok - Slovakian FA Cup Semi Final - Second Leg Marcel Horky - Injured (Groin, 1 Week) Andrej Masarovic - Injured (Groin, 5 Days) With Horky joining Masarovic on the injured list, Fairway would have a real dilemma ahead of a crucial game. He chose to fill the gap with Pavol Mikulec - Vlastimil Benko coming in on the left, and taking Horky's captain's armband to boot, even though the veteran winger had not started a game this season. Ruzemberok got off to the best possible start - scoring a goal on 15 minutes through Jozef Jelsic after almost constant pressure. It was something Bac certainly didn't want to see - but they were soon back on level terms - on the night at least - when Marian Marek applied the finishing touch to a Cisar cross. With Fairway geeing his side up for their most important 45 Minutes of the Season so far at half time, Bac got the Second half off to a flying start. Seto Nurdinatoro hooked a cross to the far post, defender Had headed to the edge of the area - and Pavol Mikulec crashed home a first time shot on the volley to make it 2-1. With the score balanced on a knife-edge, Bac would only need the one goal to take the lead on Away Goals. They certainly tried - Lovegrove and Glen Kaveney both coming close - but on the hour, Bac recieved the ultimate sucker punch. Miso's deep free kick was headed back across goal by Urban - and Jozef Jelsic volleyed home. When Jelsic put the visitors ahead on 71 it really was all over. Bac were clearly distraught - despite sending Mihal Balaz on as a third striker in place of full back Lovegrove, they were unable to force anything. On the touchline Fairway looked downhearted - but he'll have to pick his players up for Saturday - Bac still have a Championship to play for - or alternativley, two competitions to fail at in the latter stages. Bac 2 - Ruzemberok 3 (Marek, Mikulec) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove (Replaced 73 Balaz), Ernak, Adamik, Majernik*, Cisar, Benko (Replaced 45 Kaveney), Mikulec, Marek, Nurdiantoro Ruzemberok win 7-4 on Aggregate Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 13, 2004 Author Share Posted January 13, 2004 With Pavol Mikulec picking up another booking to reach a one-game ban, Fairway would have a depleted, as well as dispirited, squad for Saturday's crucial League game against Dubnica. Though they had opened up a three point gap at the top over Zilina - realistically the only two clubs still capable of winning the League - the 'Head to Head' that would decide teams on equal points is dramatically in favour of Zilina, and Bac will need to keep grinding out results if they are to take an unlikely League win. Bac v FK ZTS Dubnica nad Vahom - League Unavailable Marcel Horky - Injured (Groin, 6 Days) Andrej Masarovic - Injured (Groin, 1 Day) Pavol Mikulec - Suspended (1 of 1) With Horky still injured and Mikulec joining him on the sidelines Fairway made one change to his side, calling Glen Kaveney in to the centre of midfield. The game started in the worst possible fashion - Bac's Vlastimil Benko carried off in obvious pain after all of four minutes. On 27 though Bac would open the scoring - with a fine goal to really liven up proceedings. A huge Gardiosik goal kick took a deflection off Sevela's knee, and gave Marian Marek the chance to run into space. 'Keeper Postrk rushed out of his area, got a foot to the ball - but only enough to knock it into the path of Seto Nurdinatoro . The striker spun on his heels before curling a ball and firing a shot along the wet surface into the far corner. If the opening goal had a touch of the comedy about it, Marian Marek's second on the stroke of half time had more class about it. Glen Kaveney's far-post cross was met by a determined boot, the striker volleying into the corner with Postrk nowhere near in position for a save. Dominating at the break, Fairway made a change, giving Erik Takac a rare chance on the right - and was soon justified in his decision. On 61 Peter Svoboda played a great pass ahead of the winger, who crossed first time - Ladislav Szijjarto in position to crack home a rare goal from inside the area. Dubnica were frankly woeful - on 80 Marian Marek volleyed his second of the game - after Takac's second decent cross set up a fine chance. Three minutes later any Dubnica fans who had decided against an early start for home would be rewarded - Andrej Supka prodding home from a scrappy corner. Though Bac had Robert Lovegrove sent off on 88 they always looked comfortable - indeed Dubnica's goal their only decent chance of the game. No Cup hangovers here. Bac 4 - Dubnica 1 (Nurdinatoro, Marek 2, Szijjarto) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak (Replaced 88 Glonek), Adamik, Majernik, Cisar (Replaced 45 Takac), Benko (Replaced 4 Szijjarto), Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 1st Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 14, 2004 Author Share Posted January 14, 2004 Though Robert Lovegrove expected to recieve a One-Game ban for his dismissal, a Discaplinary Committee meeting on Tuesday morning would give the defender an added two game suspension - with Lovegrove set to be ruled out for three critical games. Tuesday would quickly turn into a bad day - Jozef Adamik picking up a back strain in training to rule him out for a week, and Robert Patras' season all but over with a torn groin muscle. What with suspension and injury, Fairway was delighted to welcome skipper Marcel Horky back to training on Thursday morning. The evening before, he was even more delighted - MSK Zilina held 3-3 by Inter Bratislava - leaving Bac 5 Points clear - and Fairway in a better mood ahead of Saturday's crucial game. Bac v MSK Zilina - League Unavailable Robert Lovegrove - Suspended (1 of 3) Jozef Adamik - Injured (Back, 4 Days) The return of Horky, as well as both sides' midweek results - and a packed house - would give Fairway more cause for optimisim than his Zilina counterpart, Juraj Simurka. Horky's return - in place of Kaveney - wouldn't be the only change - Szijjarto replacing the banned Lovegrove, with Tomas Albert handed a first start of the season in place of the injured Adamik and Mikulec returning on the left flank. Zilina certainly flew out of the blocks - Martin Fabus having a thunderous drive turned over on 4, and on 11, Pinte forced a great save from 'keeper Gardosik. Though Bac took their time to find their feet, they would open the scoring on the stroke of half time - with usual provider Andrej Cisar crossing for even more usual goalscorer Marian Marek - the striker crashing a drive under 'keeper Rzeszoto to give Bac fans something good to talk about as they bought their half time drinks. Sub Mihal Balaz had been on the pitch just 36 seconds when he repaid a slice of that £20,000 transfer fee - heading home Pavol Majernik's huge long throw just over half a minute into the Second Half. Bac's dreamland was rudely interrupted on 49 - Fabus flicking through to Attila Pinte, who scored with a driven shot under 'keeper Gardosik and pull Zilina back into the game. Bac flew forward - Cisar, Balaz and Horky all having chances in a quiet, if entertaining first half. On 82 they would score again - Marcel Horky tripped in the area to give Marian Marek the chance to slot home from the penalty spot - which he did with relative ease. Gottwald fired an immediate piledriver in reply inches over the bar - but on 89, he would provide the cross for Marcel Loj to head home from a late corner - and set up a tense spell of injury time. It would be an anticlimax - Bac's two goals immediatley either side of the break - giving them the win, the three points - and who knows, just maybe the Championship as well. Bac 3 - Zilina 2 (Marek 2, Balaz) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Szijjarto, Ernak, Albert, Majernik, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda, Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro (Replaced 45 Balaz) Bac Position After Game; 1st Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 14, 2004 Author Share Posted January 14, 2004 Monday morning, and as if the win over their closest rivals - and the 8 point advantage they would carry with 8 League games remaining - Bac would also see Marian Marek walk off with the Slovakian Player of the Month award for April to boot. This time Bac wouldn't be mentioned in the Goal awards - but with other events far more important, it would hardly have been noticed anyway. Spartak Trnava v Bac - League Unavailable Robert Lovegrove - Suspended (2 of 3) Jozef Adamik - Injured (Back, 1 Day) No changes for Bac - Fairway unsuprisingly making no changes at all to a side who lay seventh in Division One - and with Zilina looking for their first win in four at home to Slovan, Fairway knew that should results go his way, 11 Points clear at the top of the table would certainly be enough for Bac to at least put the Champagne on ice. Two minutes in all such thoughts would be banished - Trnava winning a corner and defender Pétér Léránt rising above the pack to power home an early header. The goal was one of only two highlights in a poor first half - the other coming for Bac, with Seto Nurdinatoro clearly the only man in the Stadium to not see an offside flag - rounding 'keeper Cerny and slotting home to no avail. The second half however was an entirely different affair - chances in the early period for both sides, with Mihal Balaz heading straight at Cerny on 47 - before Vladimir Kozuch came close to doubling Trnava's advantage with a drilled shot that Gardosik did well to reach on 62. As time went on Bac ran out of steam - piling forward, but never really looking to have that killer touch in front of goal. Their best chance came on 88 - Balaz beat Senegalese full back Fall to cross, but Seto Nurdinatoro 'saw the headlines' - and headed weakly straight at Cerny. That Champagne will have to stay warm for a little while yet... Trnava 1 - Bac 0 Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Szijjarto, Ernak, Albert, Majernik, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda (Replaced 45 Kaveney), Horky*, Marek (Replaced 45 Balaz), Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 1st Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 14, 2004 Author Share Posted January 14, 2004 It would never have been 11 Points anyway - Zilina didn't oblige, easing past Slovan 3-0 to bring the gap back to 'just' five points. Also coming back was Jozef Adamik - fit again after a troublesome Back problem that took a little longer than expected to clear up. Bac v FK Matador Puchov - League Unavailable Robert Lovegrove - Suspended (3 of 3) Adamik's inclusion at the expense of Albert would be the only change to a Bac side who had just lost their first League game since Mid-March - and perhaps tellingly, that one came against Puchov. That day Bac had crumbled to two late goals - today Fairway's side knowing a similar result could deal their ambitions of a Championship a huge body-blow. Bac started explosivley - after just six minutes, Marian Marek combined with Seto Nurdinatoro - the latter shooting powerfully into the roof of the net from just inside the area. On 14 the goal would be cancelled out - Mario Breska racing on to a Majoros pass to fire a shot past 'keeper Gardiosik. Immediatley after the the restart Bac retook their lead - Andrej Ernak getting the ball forward quickly - and Seto Nurdinatoro on hand to curl a marvellous shot into the corner. Bac then adopted the demenour of a team struggling to stay up, not one going for the title - Horky booked for an elbow, before on 28, Majernik held Piatka - and Lubomir Talda scored the free kick, bending a shot into the corner from 30 yards. As if it wasn't bad enough, Jozef Adamik recieved his marching orders - dismissed for a two-footed lunge on Piatka. After the break Mario Breska added his second, and Bac continued to struggle. There would be no equaliser - but a draw for Zilina would keep Bac four points clear at the top. Bac 2 - Puchov 3 (Nurdinatoro 2) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Szijjarto (Replaced 31 Albert), Ernak, Adamik, Majernik, Cisar, Mikulec (Replaced 45 Kaveney), Svoboda (Replaced 45 Kaveney), Horky*, Marek (Replaced 65 Balaz), Nurdiantoro 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 | | 30 | 18 | 4 | 8 | 69 | 42 | +27 | 58 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Zilina | | 31 | 16 | 6 | 9 | 55 | 30 | +25 | 54 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Inter Bratislava | | 30 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 56 | 44 | +12 | 51 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Ruzomberok | | 30 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 45 | 32 | +13 | 48 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Puchov | | 31 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 41 | 45 | -4 | 41 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Petrzalka | | 31 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 32 | 36 | -4 | 40 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Trnava | | 31 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 35 | 44 | -9 | 37 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Dubnica | | 31 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 32 | 48 | -16 | 35 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Slovan Bratislava | | 31 | 8 | 5 | 18 | 33 | 54 | -21 | 29 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Trencin | | 30 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 32 | 55 | -23 | 29 | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre> Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 14, 2004 Author Share Posted January 14, 2004 Jozef Adamik would be hit hard by the FA - a discaplinary Committee on Friday extending his ban to 3 Games. <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Slovakia-Today - Football - Sunday 13/5/06 'Too Easy for 'Berok' " MSK SCP Ruzemberok have won the Slovakian FA Cup after an easy 3-0 victory over Inter Bratislava at Trencin's Na Sihoti stadium. Young Roland Stevko scored in the first minute, and again on 84, to further enhance his International aspirations - Caps as an Under 21 not followed up at Senior Level, even though the striker has hit 18 this season. Jozef Jelsic added a second after six minutes - and the game was over as a spectacle when Barmos recieved his marching orders for an elbow on goalscorer Stevko. The victory has is Ruzemberok's first Cup win, and just revenge for their 2001 Final defeat against Inter." <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> With Fairway furious on Sunday, there's no doubting that Bac's squad were drawn over the coals on Monday morning. They had just six games to play, and were just four points clear - the Championship would certainly would go down to the wire. Likewise at the bottom - one of Slovakia's great clubs, Slovan Bratislava are on level points with bottom side Trencin. For his part, Fairway would be hoping that Trencin would be dropping out of the top flight. That, combined with a Championship win, would surely make the signing of a certain Jozef Hrivnak a little easier. Inter Bratislava v Bac - League Unavailable Jozef Adamik - Suspended (1 of 3) With Inter coming off the back of a dismal Cup Final defeat, Fairway hoped it would be his side who could give their recent form a boost with a victory over the Third-Placed side - and increase that key gap at the top of the League. Adamik's suspension neccesitated the only change - Fairway drafting Tomas Albert in at the back. Bac certainly signalled their intent early on - going ahead on 8 with their first chance. A fine run and cross from Cisar brought a chance - and at the far post Pavol Mikulec ran on to sidefoot home from close range. It was the perfect start - but other than an errant Marek volley on 11, it would prove Bac's only chance of the first half - Lelkas, Petras and, most impressivley, Marek Holly's piledriver all denied by 'keeper Gardosik. After the break the game took it's time to get going - but on 64, Inter levelled - Juraj Halenaar adding his 23rd goal of the season with a header from Petras' pinpoint corner. With Bac struggling, Inter got the bit between their teeth - Burza, Lelkes, Lembakoali and Halenar all having chances to give Radoslaw Gardosik the man of the match award. Despite a late chance - Balaz' feeble header from a 92nd minute cross - Bac wouldn't get into the game at all in the second period, and were lucky to depart with a point. Inter 1 - Bac 1 (Mikulec) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Szijjarto, Ernak, Albert, Majernik, Cisar, Mikulec, Svoboda , Horky*, Marek (Replaced 45 Balaz), Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 1st Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 14, 2004 Author Share Posted January 14, 2004 For the second time in as many games, Fairway was fuming. This time, his side had got a point - but that, combined with a win for Zilina, would mean that the defending champions were only two points behind the leaders - with a fifth consecutive title in their sights. With Thursday's paper running an article - fully sanctioned and indeed instigated by Fairway praising Pavol Majernik , Fairway hoped that his side would be able to get back to winning ways on Sunday. They would get their chance against a managerless side - Petrzalka disposing of Karol Dobias on Saturday morning. FK Artmedia Petrzalka v Bac - League Unavailable Jozef Adamik - Suspended (2 of 3) No Szijjarto in the starting eleven - so a return for Robert Lovegrove after his suspension in Fairway's only change for his side - still stuttering and wheezing, but stuttering and wheezing towards the title. For a side only under caretaker control, Petrzalka put themselves about well - on 10, Suchanek's crossed was fired against the post by Milan Iskra, with only Robert Lovegrove's pace onto the loose ball preventing him with an open goal for the rebound. After their early scare Bac quickly responded - going one better than their hosts. On 17 a fine move, involving Lovegrove and Svoboda saw Cisar away down the right - his cross perfect for Seto Nurdinatoro to just shoot into the corner, with Cobej scrambling across goal after going to the near post. Bac immediatley looked for a second - Marek perhaps should have scored on 24, instead heading straight at 'keeper Copej after good work by Nurdinatoro. On 40 he would get a goal - Marian Marek heading Peter Svoboda's near post corner past 'keeper Cobej to claim his 35th of the season. 40 Seconds into the second half Bac added a third - after taking their time to win the ball from the restart, Pavol Mikulec clipped a glorious ball into the path of Nurdinatoro, who turned provider - a cross-cum-shot fumbled by Cobej, straight into the path of Marian Marek , who bundled across the line from a few yards out. With Bac in cruise mode, Petrzalka saw more of the ball, and on 70, would claim the chance to get back into the game - Ivana's cross neatly volleyed home by Simeon Stevica. It would only be a consolation - on 81 Pavol Majernik's headed clearance came to Marian Marek - and his pass across the defence found Seto Nurdinatoro . Bac on form? - Well, it would be at the right sort of time... Petrzalka 1 - Bac 4 (Nurdinatoro 2, Marek 2) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Albert, Majernik, Cisar (Replaced 68 Masarovic), Mikulec, Svoboda , Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 1st Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
displaced_seagull Posted January 14, 2004 Author Share Posted January 14, 2004 They'd done it - a win, and a win in style, had put Bac five points clear at the top again. It was a lead they could enjoy for all of 3 hours - Zilina taking their time, but eventually beating struggling Trencin with a Pinte goal in the Second Half. Fairway's side though would have an advantage - a game in hand, which would come on Wednesday night. There would however, be a spanner in the works - a booking for Cisar taking him up to an automatic ban. Bac v MSK SCP Ruzemberok - League Unavailable Andrej Cisar - Suspended (1 of 1) Jozef Adamik - Suspended (3 of 3) With Adamik facing the last game of his suspension, Fairway decided that for a crucial game in hand that could well decide the destination of the title, he would make one, enforced change - Masarovic replacing the suspended Cisar. Bac really showed their talents at Petrzalka - and would need them all for a game against the Cup winners. For a 'League Leaders v Cup Winners' game it started slowly - but on 37, Marian Marek lit the blue-touch paper with a brilliant shot into the roof of the net after a fine Mikulec cross. Ruzemberok got the second half off to a better start, with Stevko and Miso causing trouble in particular. For all their endevour though 'keeper Gardosik held firm - and despite Marian Marek wasting a chance on 69, you sensed it would be Bac's day. On 80 that was secure - Marek's cross fired at goal by Seto Nurdinatoro . Although 'keeper Mucha got a hand to it, Nurdinatoro was still quickest to react - making it 2-0 late on. The Bac fans went home happy - not one for the purists, but winning a game in hand with three games to go has put Bac five points clear at the Top of the League - it could all be over by Saturday teatime. Bac 2 - Ruzemberok 0 (Marek, Nurdinatoro) Bac; 4-4-2; Gardosik, Lovegrove, Ernak, Albert, Majernik, Masarovic, Mikulec, Svoboda , Horky*, Marek, Nurdiantoro Bac Position After Game; 1st Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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