Dukla Banská Bystrica secured a 2-0 victory over Lovca in the Round of 128 of the Cup on Wednesday evening. The match at Lovca's ground produced two decisive moments that separated the sides. By then, the visiting team had already established control that would not waver.
R. Szantho opened the scoring in the seventeenth minute, finding the net to give Dukla an early advantage. and here's the thing — it was not a spectacular strike, but a clinical finish from a routine chance. Lovca responded with possession but struggled to create something meaningful in return.
The second goal arrived in the sixty-fifth minute to settle the tie beyond doubt. The away side had learned from the first half and tightened their approach. To be fair, Lovca should have had more from their early pressure, but they came for a cross they never reached.
Recent form tells an interesting story for both sides. Lovca had shown vulnerability in their last outing, losing 2-1 to Filakovo in August 2025. Dukla, meanwhile, had endured a difficult spell — four straight defeats before this Cup fixture, including heavy losses to Žilina and Trnava.
By then, the Cup match offered a chance to reverse that momentum. Dukla's victory means they advance to the next round, while Lovca's cup campaign comes to an end. The result reflects a team that finally found its rhythm when it mattered most.