Botsev Plovdiv saw off Spartak Varna 3-2 in the Bulgarian First League on Monday evening. The fourth matchday fixture produced plenty of drama, with the home side finding a way through despite Spartak's best efforts to contain them. It was a result that keeps the hosts in seventh place while leaving their visitors in eighth.
Mascote gave Botsev the early advantage after just four minutes, a sharp finish that caught Spartak on the wrong foot. A. Chandarov doubled the lead before the break, his 28th-minute goal putting the home side in control. S. Kalu then extended the margin at 39 minutes, and it looked as though Botsev might cruise to a comfortable victory.
Spartak pulled one back through S. Petrov's own goal in the 58th minute, and the match suddenly became something else entirely. The visitors threw bodies in the way and B. Ivanov found the equaliser late on, but Mascote came off the bench to score again in stoppage time. By then, the result was already decided, and Botsev held on for a crucial three points.
The statistics tell a story of a match that was fairly even in possession, with Botsev at 55 per cent and Spartak at 45. The home side registered 17 shots to their visitors' 11, but chances went begging on both sides. Botsev had nine shots on target and eight off, while Spartak managed five on target and six wide.
The result means Botsev remain on ten points from eight games, three wins and four defeats. Spartak sit on nine points with two victories and three draws, but they have now lost their last meeting against the hosts. Cup football has its own rules, but this was plain league action, and Botsev took what they needed.