Skalica secured a narrow victory over Nove-Mesto nad Váhom in the Round of 128 of the Cup competition on Wednesday evening. The away side claimed a 1-0 win at the home ground, advancing to the next stage of the tournament. The result came as a surprise to many, given the disparity in recent form between the two clubs.
The decisive moment arrived late in the match, with the only goal coming in the 86th minute. It was a quiet evening for Nove-Mesto's attack, which managed just one shot on target throughout the entire contest. By then, Skalica had already established control of the game's tempo.
The statistics tell a clear story of dominance. Skalica enjoyed 58 per cent possession and registered seven shots on target compared to their opponents' single attempt. The away side also completed 104 attacks and won seven corners, while Nove-Mesto managed only 62 attacks and two corners. They kept knocking on the door but lacked the cutting edge.
Recent results suggest Skalica have found their rhythm under new management. Their last five fixtures include four wins and a draw, with only the 2-4 defeat to Košice breaking the pattern. Nove-Mesto, meanwhile, have struggled, suffering three losses in their past five matches including heavy defeats to Trenčín and Uherský Brod.
The victory keeps Skalica's cup campaign alive and puts pressure on their domestic league ambitions. Nove-Mesto's elimination came as a disappointment, particularly given their home advantage. The visitors will now turn their attention to domestic duties with confidence restored.