More heartache for Arka and frustration for Lechia

In Sport

Over the weekend both Arka Gdynia and Lechia Gdansk played in round 28 of Lotto Ekstraklasa. Arka were away to 11th Place Pogon Szczecin on Saturday while Lechia took the trip to Piast Gliwice, who are currently fighting relegation in 16th place, on Sunday.

Both teams desperately needed 3 points for very different reasons. Lechia are in the race for the title but Arka have found themselves in a bad position fighting for survival.

Pogon Vs Arka – Saturday 8th April 18:00

Could Arka get out of the recent run of bad results. The match kicked off and within 2 minutes Pogon’s Midfielder, Adam Fraczczak, scored his 10th league goal of the season 1:0. Arka fans thought the worst but less than 1 minute later a cross from Arka defender, Marcin Warcholak, was converted by Przemyslaw Trytko 1:1. With the game level and possession even, chances were created at both ends but neither team could take advantage. 1:1 half time. After the break Arka’s defence once again seemed to fall apart, at 53 minutes Pogon scored their second (Adam Fraczczak) and then within 10 minutes scored another two (Spas Delev and Cornel Rapa) to take the game to 4:1. There was no way back for Arka and to add insult to injury in the 90th Minute, Michal Marcjanik scored an own goal.

Final Score 5:1

Arka have now lost their last five games (in all competitions) and conceded a total of 20 goals.

The discontent among Arka fans is all too evident especially on social media, with many blaming coach Grzegorz Niciński for the recent lack of form and calling for some big changes.

Piast Vs Lechia – Sunday 9th April 15:30

Lechia haven’t performed well away from home, with no victories in the previous six away games. Expectations were high as the 15:30 kick off approached, three points would see Lechia take second place in the league. With league title rivals, Poznan and Warsaw, playing each other in the 18:00 match Lechia really needed to take advantage.

Aleksandar Sedlar opened the scoring for Piast with a close range header in the 10th minute. Lechia replied within 2 minutes when Rafel Wolski stepped up for a free kick which found the head of Mario Maloca in the area to make it 1:1. Lechia had a great opportunity for a second in the 33rd minute when Lukas Haraslin showed his skill with a spectacular overhead kick which fell for Marco Paixao to shoot but Jakub Szmatula, Piast goalkeeper, tipped it over the bar. In the second half Lechia had further chances in front of goal. In the 52nd minute, Haraslin again was the playmaker but the unmarked Flávio Paixao hit the bar.

Final Score 1:1

Not the result Lechia needed. Coach, Piotr Nowak, really needs to address the away form if Lechia are to continue to challenge for the league title.

Next Match

It’s the big one we have all been waiting for… The Tricity Derby!

Lechia will host local rivals Arka at The Stadium Energa on 17th April 18:00.

Arka fans are unfortunately banned from attending the match but Lechia fans will be out in force. With over 15,000 tickets already sold we could see a new record attendance.

Arka will be without key players Mateusz Szwoch, Marcus Da Silva and Rafal Siemaszko. Early indications are that Lechia will welcome back the dependable Slawomir Peszko to the team.

Tricity News will be attending this match so watch this space for a full report.

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