League Play-Off

Gabrina Stadion
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Veliko Mishaykov kicked off to start the match. Vladislav Koprinkov took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Veliko Mishaykov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Partizan Cherven briag's Vladislav Koprinkov proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 11th minute of the match, managed to save Partizan Cherven briag from getting a goal against them. An unexpectedly hard shot by Niki Barilski in the 14th minute of play forced Gabrina's goalkeeper Tencho Otashliyski to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Branislav Savinov hit a great freekick 14 minutes into the match. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Veliko Mishaykov during the 16th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of Partizan Cherven briag booed when Gabrina was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 16 match minutes in a wonderful position. Veliko Mishaykov didn't get a good kick on the ball. When Partizan Cherven briag's Yancho Chipev in the 17th minute got a chance for a shot 17th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Gabrina's goalie prevented a goal. In the 22nd minute, Velislav Lakev left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Gabrina fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 2-0. After 26 minutes, Stanislav Laskov mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Partizan Cherven briag and the Gabrina players grew even worse after the yellow card. Yancho Chipev received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 36th minute. Tencho Otashliyski tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Niki Barilski during the 37th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After having played for 40 minutes, Yancho Chipev managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Partizan Cherven briag's supporters crossed their fingers, but Yancho Chipev was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Niki Barilski in the 46th minute of play forced Gabrina's goalkeeper Tencho Otashliyski to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Niki Barilski to make the kick off. After 52 played minutes Gabrina got a freekick which was hit by Alexi Geshev. Anastas Shtirkov shot from long distance in the 53rd minute, but Tencho Otashliyski was prepared and stopped the ball at the left post. After 54 played minutes Partizan Cherven briag got a freekick which was hit by Lilcho Peshev. In the 55th match minute, Partizan Cherven briag was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Yancho Chipev to maneuver through the defense. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Anton Valyavicharski during the 64th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 64th match minute, Partizan Cherven briag was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Anton Valyavicharski to maneuver through the defense. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Velislav Lakev in the 68th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Vladislav Koprinkov saved Partizan Cherven briag from getting behind. After a defensive mix-up in Gabrina's zone, Niki Barilski stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Tencho Otashliyski came out of the goal and Niki Barilski tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 75th match minute, Partizan Cherven briag was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lilcho Peshev to maneuver through the defense. Partizan Cherven briag's Vladislav Koprinkov played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Velislav Lakev in the 82nd minute of play. Tencho Otashliyski was out of position in the 83 minute of play, and Niki Barilski capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Niki Barilski really showed his touch with that goal: 2-1. 87 minutes into the game, Ivan Slaveev was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Partizan Cherven briag's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Gabrina the free kick. After a defensive mix-up in Partizan Cherven briag's zone, Veliko Mishaykov stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Vladislav Koprinkov came out of the goal and Veliko Mishaykov tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Niki Barilski received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 96th minute. Tencho Otashliyski tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After 98 minutes of play, Gabrina's Bozhil Gekov made it 3-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Vladislav Koprinkov was left in no man's land by his defense there! For all the effort they put into the match, the Partizan Cherven briag players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Gabrina.