Novohrad Lucenec secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over TJ Banik Kalinovo on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in a closely contested Slovak 3.Liga match. The win keeps Lucenec in touch with the promotion chasing pack, while Kalinovo were left to rue missed opportunities.

Match Overview

This was a tense, tactical battle between two evenly matched sides. Lucenec started the brighter and took the lead in the first half, but Kalinovo fought back to equalise after the break. However, Lucenec showed character to score a late winner and claim all three points. Both teams had chances to win it, but Lucenec's clinical finishing proved the difference.

Key Moments

Lucenec broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Miroslav Lukáč curled a beautiful shot into the top corner from just outside the box. Kalinovo responded well and had several chances to equalise before half-time, but they were denied by some resolute defending and a fine save from the Lucenec goalkeeper.

In the 55th minute, Kalinovo got the goal their pressure deserved. Juraj Hudák latched onto a loose ball in the box and fired home. The game looked to be heading for a draw, but in the 78th minute, Lucenec won a free-kick on the edge of the area. Peter Šulc stepped up and drilled a low shot through the wall and into the net for what proved to be the winner.

Tactical Analysis

Both teams lined up in 4-2-3-1 formations, leading to a congested midfield battle. Lucenec tried to play through the middle with quick one-twos, while Kalinovo favoured long balls over the top for their pacey forwards. The decisive moment came from a set-piece, as Lucenec exploited a slight gap in Kalinovo's wall. Defensively, Lucenec sat deeper after taking the lead, inviting pressure but holding firm.

Standout Players

Miroslav Lukáč was Lucenec's best player, scoring a superb opener and linking play intelligently. Peter Šulc showed nerves of steel with the winning free-kick. For Kalinovo, Juraj Hudák was a constant threat and took his goal well, while their goalkeeper Martin Kováč made two excellent saves to keep his team in the game.

League Impact

This victory lifts Novohrad Lucenec up the Slovak 3.Liga table and gives them momentum in the race for promotion. TJ Banik Kalinovo remain mid-table but will feel they deserved a point. The narrow margin highlights just how competitive the division is this season, and both teams will look to build on this performance in their upcoming fixtures.