Fans who came in large numbers to the stadium in Bolesławiec for Wednesday’s third-round Okręgowy Puchar Polski match were certainly not disappointed. The derby between BKS and Leśnik Osiecznica mobilized not only them, but also the players of both teams. Both sides very much wanted to win the match. Mobilization, determination, emotion and fighting to the very end—this is how, in short, one can describe what happened on Wednesday on the pitch on Spółdzielcza.
The match was very tightly contested. From the very beginning, BKS attacked the Leśnik goal without any complexes. In the opening minutes, a shot by Jakub Kwoczka hit the visitors’ goalpost. Shortly afterward, Marek Majka shot, and the visitors had to clear the ball off the goal line. There were fewer chances after that, and play took place mainly in the middle of the pitch.
It must be admitted that both teams’ defenses played very carefully. BKS had more possession and more opportunities to score, but the visitors also created chances. A shot from outside the penalty area is worth noting; it forced the BKS goalkeeper to make a substantial effort. The intensity of the emotions surrounding the match was demonstrated by what happened after the referee invited both teams’ players to the halftime break. Mutual pushing broke out near the BKS substitutes’ bench. Fortunately, the unsporting emotions were brought under control.
The second half looked similar. BKS had more chances, but Leśnik’s defense and goalkeeper played very attentively and prevented every threat in time. In the closing stages, the Bolesławiec side failed to convert three excellent chances. Leśnik also wasted a match-winning opportunity late in the game. From a few meters out, Daniel Ziółkowski failed to hit the target. Regular time ended goalless. Penalties decided who would advance. BKS converted all of theirs flawlessly, won the match 4–2 and advanced to the fourth round of the cup competition.
Watch the video of the penalty shootout:
BKS’s penalty scorers were:
Oskar Pochwała, Jacek Bochnia, Michał Kapusz and Filip Zagórski. On the latter’s shot, Leśnik goalkeeper Cezary Purta dived in the right direction but was unable to save it.
Leśnik’s goals were scored by:
Oskar Małecki and Nykolay Maliutin. Jakub Walczak saved Daniel Ziółkowski’s shot, while Kacper Wojciechowski’s effort hit the post.