When the former B side is better than the former A side

1. FK Svidník - Partizán Bardejov BŠK 2-0 (1-0)

Ivanecký 39', Tokar 66'.

Sunday, 14 May 2023, 4:30 pm local time (1:30 pm UTC), Mestský futbalový štadión, Svidník, Slovakia, the 26th round of the Slovak Third League - East Group (3. Liga - Východ).

The two teams and the referees before the start of the game - 1. FK Svidník in red and Partizán Bardejov in blue. Photo source: capture from the YouTube video of the match, posted by FK Svidník

For some years, before 2022, 1. FK Svidník were the B side of Partizán Bardejov. As a farm team, they received many players from Bardejov on loan, and sometimes even for good, when the Bardejov management decided that a certain player is not of enough value to play for them. In the meantime, the relation was disrupted by the financial problems that Partizán Bardejov went through, and 1. FK Svidník reoriented towards another club, and currently they have a similar arrangement with 1. FC Tatran Prešov.

In 2022, Partizán Bardejov were relegated to the Third League, so now the two teams are actually playing at the same level and in the same competition. In autumn, Bardejov won 5-1 on their own ground, but it was now the turn for Svidník to take their revenge and to win. It was one of the best matches for 1. FK Svidník, which really look to be in the best shape possible.

The match was very well played by both teams, which struggled a lot more than in other matches, a sign that there still is a sort of "special relationship" between them. The visitors had more ball possession in the beginning and attacked more. Their biggest chance came after a cross from the left, when Nikolas Lukáč's shot hit the cross bar (19'). However, after this, their play became less efficient. Quite the contrary, the home side had a good share of very dangerous counterttacks and almost scored in a couple of occasions. The referee awarded a penalty for Svidník, but then changed his mind after talking to the assistant referee, who indicated an initial offside position.

The goal eventually came. Magul'ak recovered a ball in midfield, Ivanko Macej beautifully combined with Ivanecký, one-two, passing through the opposite defence, and the final assist by Ivanko Macej to the same Ivanecký, who scored in the empty net: 1-0 (39').

In the second half, the visitors tried their best to come back in the game, to equalize, but they had few opportunities. The game was controlled by the Svidník side, which increased their lead soon. Magul'ak crossed from the left, Sabolčík turned the ball to Hirka, whose shot became a pass for Tokar, in front of the goal: 2-0 (66').

Many more chances emerged in the remaining time, but no other goals were scored. 

Svidník: Tiurin - Migaš (Makara 78'), Grejták, Ducár, Magul'ak - Nemtinov, Sabolčík (Kuhajdík 68'), Ivanecký, Ivanko Macej (Luščík 89') - Hirka (Klučár 68'), Tokar (Gajdoš 89'). Manager: Vladislav Palša.

Bardejov: Sobek - Hanuščák, Somov, Kmec, Pedro Da Silva, N. Lukáč, Elexa, Šott, M. Lukáč (Zamborský 73'), Stachura (Grimaldi 46'), Stolárik. Manager: Rastislav Kica.

Referee: Dávid Gorel.

Yellow cards: Kuhajdík 84' - Pedro Da Silva 79'.

With this win, 1. FK Svidník are virtually out of trouble in terms of relegation. Their next game will be away at Slávia TU Košice. Partizán Bardejov dropped into 8th place and will face Tatran Oravské Veselé at home in the next round.

With four rounds to go, FK Spišská Nová Ves have 4 points more than ŠK Odeva Lipany and are clear favorites for promotion. In terms of relegation nothing is yet decided, but FK Poprad seem surprisingly unable to get out of the bottom place and may be one of the relegated teams.

Full results, table and results:

 

Round 26 (13-14 May 2023)

 

ŠK Odeva Lipany – MŠK Námestovo 7-1

MFK Vranov nad Topl’ou – FK Poprad 1-1

MFK Slovan Giraltovce – Slávia TU Košice 0-1

MŠK Novohrad Lučenec – MFK Snina 0-1

TJ Tatran Oravské Veselé – FK Spišská Nová Ves 1-2

1. FK Svidník – Partizán Bardejov BŠK 2-0

MŠK Rimavská Sobota – TJ Baník Kalinovo 4-3

FTC Fiľakovo – MŠK Tesla Stropkov 4-1

 

Table

 

1	FK Spišská Nová Ves	26	20	4	2	62-19	64	Promotion to 2. Liga
2	ŠK Odeva Lipany	26	19	3	4	60-23	60
3	MFK Vranov nad Topl’ou	26	15	8	3	55-24	53
4	MŠK Rimavská Sobota	26	13	4	9	53-48	43
5	MFK Snina	26	12	5	9	44-37	41
6	TJ Tatran Oravské Veselé	26	11	7	8	43-33	40
7	Slávia TU Košice	26	12	4	10	42-33	40
8	Partizán Bardejov BŠK	26	11	6	9	44-37	39
9	MŠK Tesla Stropkov	26	10	3	13	36-43	33
10	1. FK Svidník	26	8	8	10	30-36	32
11	TJ Baník Kalinovo	26	6	9	11	32-49	27
12	MŠK Novohrad Lučenec	26	5	9	12	19-33	24
13	MFK Slovan Giraltovce	26	6	4	16	17-51	22
14	FTC Fiľakovo	26	6	3	17	28-52	21
15	MŠK Námestovo	26	5	6	15	22-48	21	Relegation to 4. Liga
16	FK Poprad*	26	4	7	15	22-43	16	Relegation to 4. Liga

 

* FK Poprad deducted 3 points.

In case that two or more teams are equal on points, the main ranking criteria are the results of the head-to-head matches.

 

Round 27 (20-21 May 2023)

 

MFK Slovan Giraltovce – FTC Fiľakovo

MŠK Námestovo – MŠK Novohrad Lučenec

FK Spišská Nová Ves – ŠK Odeva Lipany

Partizán Bardejov BŠK – TJ Tatran Oravské Veselé

Slávia TU Košice – 1. FK Svidník

TJ Baník Kalinovo – MFK Vranov nad Topľou

FK Poprad – MŠK Tesla Stropkov

MFK Snina – MŠK Rimavská Sobota