OFK Lokomotiv Mezdra won 3-1 over OFK Tryavna in the Bulgarian Third League

Sunday, 28 March 2021, 2.30 pm local time (12.30 pm UTC), Lokomotiv Stadium, Mezdra, Bulgaria, the 23rd round of the Bulgarian Third League, North-West Group (Severozapadna Treta Liga).

Despite several missing players, OFK Lokomotiv Mezdra took all the points in the match against last classified and almost relegated OFK Tryavna. For both teams, this match meant something positive. For Mezdra, the three points. For Tryavna, after two severe defeats away, 8-1 and 9-1, a 3-1 loss already looks like a good result. And if one adds that they were quite close to a draw, then it is even better for them. And it is the first game after some time when they do not have a player sent off with a red card.

The first half was mainly controlled by Lokomotiv Mezdra, but they struggled a lot to create some opportunities, because the visitors defended well, on two lines, with 5 defenders and 4 midfielders in front of them. Only Daniel Totev remained in the attack, just in case. The first real chance emerged when Milen Vassilev's shot from the left side went just a little bit wide (19'). Then, Miroslav Kirov saved in front of Lionel Matados (30'). Right before half time, the hosts took the lead from a free kick perfectly executed by captain Braian Stoyanov, who surprised Miroslav Kirov: 1-0 (44').

This goal had an impact on both teams, as Lokomotiv Mezdra started the second half very decided to finish off the game as quickly as possible with another goal, while Tryavna defense lost some of its strength. After several opportunities, the hosts doubled their advantage, as Grozdan Ivanov advanced unopposed and had time to prepare a shot, which hit the post to the left of the goalkeeper and then went in: 2-0 (60'). 

The situation seemed comfortable for Mezdra, and they missed another big chance, but right after that, an attack by the visitors led to their only goal: the ball was crossed from the right to Martin Shirtev, who succeeded to pass it on the left to Tihomir Marinov, who scored with a left-footed shot to the right corner: 2-1 (65').

After this goal, OFK Tryavna looked very different, and attacked quite constantly, putting a lot of pressure on Mezdra's defense. The roles changed completely, but, despite the pressure and some good football, no real goal chance was created and Tryavna could not equalize. Even more, already in injury time, Milen Vassilev executed a free kick from a very long distance, found Valdemar Stoyanov in the box, and the striker was able to score: 3-1 (90'+2').

Lokomotiv Mezdra: Christian Dyakov - Metodi Yankov, Gennady Petrov, Braian Stoyanov (cpt.), Nikolai Genov, Grozdan Ivanov, Nikola Tsolov, Milen Vassilev, Lionel Matados (Bozhidar Tsvetkov 90'+3'), Vladimir Naidenov (Rosen Krumov 80'), Valdemar Stoyanov.

OFK Tryavna: Miroslav Kirov (cpt.) - Denis Dachev, Vesko Karakolev, Oktay Azisov, Stanislav Atanasov (Tsanko Slavov 53'), Georgi Atanasov (Dimitar Mitev 59') - Georgi Georgiev, Todor Chirpanov (Tomislav Kolev 82'), Aleksandar Damyanov (Martin Shirtev 59'), Tihomir Marinov - Daniel Totev.

Referee: Galya Echeva.

Yellow cards: Grozdan Ivanov 55', Metodi Yankov 73', Braian Stoyanov 90'+3' - Georgi Atanasov 43'.

The match was broadcasted live on Facebook by OFK Lokomotiv Mezdra official page.

The next round will be played in mid-week, this Wednesday. OFK Tryavna will face Peshtera Galata at home, while OFK Lokomotiv Mezdra will play away, at Spartak Pleven.

Full results, table and fixtures:

Round 23 (28 March 2021)

 

OFK Pavlikeni – Bdin 1923 Vidin 1-2

Partizan Cherven Bryag – Levski 2020 Lom 0-4

Botev 2 Vratsa – Akademik Svishtov 3-3

FK Drenovets – Parva Atomna Kozloduy 2-0

OFK Lokomotiv Mezdra – OFK Tryavna 3-1

Yantra Polski Trambesh – Spartak Pleven 3-1

Vihar Slavyanovo – FK Sevlievo 1-0

Lokomotiv 1927 Dryanovo – Etar 2 Veliko Tarnovo 0-0

Peshtera Galata – OFK Levski 2007 postponed

 

Table

 

1	Levski 2020 Lom	23	17	6	0	59-9	57	Promotion to Vtora Liga
2	Vihar Slavyanovo	23	15	4	4	51-19	49
3	Yantra Polski Trambesh	23	14	4	5	46-25	46
4	FK Sevlievo	23	13	6	4	41-16	45
5	Botev 2 Vratsa	23	12	6	5	47-28	42
6	Spartak Pleven	23	12	2	9	46-25	38
7	Partizan Cherven Bryag	23	11	4	8	34-31	37
8	OFK Pavlikeni	23	9	8	6	27-17	35
9	OFK Lokomotiv Mezdra	23	10	4	9	33-24	34
10	Lokomotiv Dryanovo	23	10	3	10	43-44	33
11	FK Drenovets	23	7	7	9	35-46	28
12	OFK Levski 2007	22	6	6	10	26-28	24
13	Etar 2 Veliko Tarnovo	23	6	5	12	28-41	23
14	Parva Atomna Kozloduy	23	6	4	13	27-39	22
15	Akademik Svishtov	23	6	3	14	27-44	21
16	Peshtera Galata	22	5	4	13	32-58	19
17	Bdin 1923 Vidin	23	3	6	14	16-72	15	Relegation to regional leagues
18	OFK Tryavna	23	2	2	18	16-66	8	Relegation to regional leagues

 

Round 24 (31 March 2021)

 

Etar 2 Veliko Tarnovo – Vihar Slavyanovo

FK Sevlievo – Yantra Polski Trambesh

Spartak Pleven – OFK Lokomotiv Mezdra

OFK Levski 2007 – FK Drenovets

Parva Atomna Kozloduy – Botev 2 Vratsa

Akademik Svishtov – Partizan Cherven Bryag

Levski 2020 Lom – OFK Pavlikeni

Bdin 1923 Vidin – Lokomotiv 1927 Dryanovo

OFK Tryavna – Peshtera Galata