Ivančice “B” – Moravské Bránice 2–3 (0–2)
For our next league match, we travelled to the artificial pitch in Alexovice, where a direct clash between the top two teams in the league awaited us. Even before kick-off, we knew this would be anything but an easy game. Ivančice are certainly not near the top of the table by accident, and judging by their performance, they were undoubtedly the strongest opponents we have faced this season. The match had everything – pace, intensity and footballing quality that would not have looked out of place among the top teams in the District Premier League.
We could hardly have asked for a better start. In the very first minute, Palo stepped up to take a free kick and fired an accurate shot into the net to give us a 0–1 lead. It was the perfect beginning. In the ninth minute, he came close to doubling our advantage, but his effort struck the crossbar. Just two minutes later, the woodwork came to our rescue at the other end.
From the opening minutes, both teams played excellent football and created chances. The home side threatened in the 14th minute, and just a minute later, we had a golden opportunity of our own. Adam found himself in a clear goalscoring position but unfortunately fired his shot straight at the home goalkeeper. In the 20th minute, however, we had another reason to celebrate. Palo struck again, scoring his second goal of the match to extend our lead to 0–2.
Anyone expecting our two-goal advantage to break the home side’s resistance was very much mistaken. Ivančice played some excellent football, looked dangerous going forward and certainly made us work for everything. Following one of their corners, we had a particularly narrow escape when Míra had to clear the ball off the goal line at the very last moment, preventing what looked like a certain goal. We, however, were not content with our lead and continued looking for further opportunities. The spectators were treated to an entertaining contest played at a high tempo, with both teams showing exactly why they belong at the top of the table.
We eventually headed into the dressing room with a 0–2 lead, although everyone knew the match was far from decided.
The second half started just as brilliantly for us. In the 46th minute, Palo was at it again. This time, he cleverly lobbed the ball over the home goalkeeper to complete his hat-trick. The scoreboard showed 0–3, and it seemed we had the match firmly under control.
But the home side showed both their quality and determination. In the 50th minute, Filip Sova pulled one back to make it 1–3, bringing Ivančice right back into the contest. Even at that scoreline, they had no intention of giving up and continued pushing to turn the result around.
The match remained intense, with plenty of action at both ends. The home side kept searching for further opportunities, while we tried to settle the contest with quick attacking moves. Neither team was willing to ease off.
In the 81st minute, Filip Sova scored his second goal of the match, reducing the deficit to 2–3. What had once looked like a comfortable three-goal advantage had turned into a real battle in the space of a single half.
The final ten minutes offered everything a football fan could wish for – unless, of course, you were supporting our team and worried about your nerves! Míša managed to break through down the flank and create a dangerous opportunity, but the home side soon threatened again. In the closing moments, Viktor came to our rescue with an absolutely fantastic save, producing an outstanding intervention at a crucial moment to preserve our narrow lead.
It was dramatic, it was demanding, but we got the job done! Ivančice proved why they deserve to be near the top of the table and gave us our toughest test of the season so far. But we rose to the challenge. Palo’s hat-trick, crucial defensive interventions and, above all, our team’s fighting spirit earned us an incredibly valuable victory. We take all three points from the direct clash between first and second place and remain firmly at the top of the table!
A huge thank you also goes to all our supporters who travelled to Ivančice in such impressive numbers! Your support throughout the match was incredible, and especially during the dramatic final minutes, you gave us the extra strength we needed. Today, you truly were our twelfth player, and thanks to you, we are bringing all three points home. Thank you, Bránice! This victory belongs to you too! 💚🤍
Goals: 1st, 20th and 46th min. Pavol Bábeľa – 50th and 81st min. Filip Sova.
Yellow cards – Moravské Bránice: 48th min. Tomáš Zohner, 74th min. Šimon Matoušek, 89th min. Adam Hron.