CSM Adjud Edges Out FC Bacău II to Climb Liga III Table and Rekindle Promotion Hopes

On a brisk autumn afternoon at Stadionul Municipal, CSM Adjud seized a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a resilient FC Bacău II, consolidating their place in Liga III’s upper echelon while extending the visitors’ struggles at the foot of the table.

For Adjud, three points were not just a welcome addition to their tally but a vital statement of intent in a campaign that has oscillated between tight triumphs and narrow defeats. For Bacău II, the loss deepens an already troubling run, leaving them anchored near the basement and searching for answers as their season threatens to unravel.

First Half: Tension and Opportunity

The early minutes set the tone: Adjud, aware that a win could propel them up the standings, pressed high, intent on imposing themselves. Bacău II, perhaps stung by recent heavy defeats—including a bruising 0-7 loss at Cetatea—offered industry and commitment, even as cracks in confidence surfaced.

The breakthrough came midway through the first half. Exploiting a lapse in Bacău’s defensive organization, Adjud’s No. 9 latched onto a clever through ball, side-footing home from ten yards to make it 1-0. The goal was met with roars from the home faithful and a palpable shift in momentum, though Adjud would soon find comfort elusive.

Turning Point: An Unexpected Equalizer

Despite Adjud’s edge in possession, Bacău II showed flashes of youthful enterprise. Just before halftime, a speculative run down the right produced a teasing cross, finding their captain, who headed in at the far post to level the score at 1-1.

For a moment, Bacău II fans dreamed of a first point in four matches. Yet, as halftime approached, Adjud regrouped, their body language betraying equal parts frustration and determination.

Second Half: Decisive Moments and Nerves

After the interval, Adjud’s urgency made the difference. The hosts dominated territory, forcing a series of corners and nearly regaining the lead from a powerful header that grazed the bar. The breakthrough finally came in the 68th minute, when a scramble in the area resulted in Adjud’s midfielder pouncing on a loose ball and rifling it low into the corner, restoring the lead at 2-1.

Bacău II’s response was spirited; a late counterattack nearly saw them equalize, only for Adjud’s goalkeeper to produce a sharp save at his near post. Tempers flared as the clock wound down, and a reckless challenge from Bacău II’s right back earned the afternoon’s only yellow card—a symbol of their mounting frustration.

Context: What This Result Means

CSM Adjud’s win lifts them to fifth place on 10 points after seven matches, marking their third victory in five outings. Their recent form—marked by a pair of gritty 1-0 wins and some frustrating near-misses—now takes on a more optimistic hue. The club has rebounded from back-to-back losses in September and, with momentum shifting, finds itself on the cusp of the promotion conversation.

Bacău II, meanwhile, remain mired in 12th place with just three points from seven matches—six of those defeats. Their defensive frailty, laid bare by the aforementioned 0-7 rout, continues to haunt them, despite spells of purposeful play. Without a change in fortune, their survival hopes look increasingly precarious.

While head-to-head history in recent seasons has been largely favorable to Adjud, today’s result underscores the widening gulf between these two sides in both ambition and execution.

What’s Next: Stakes Rising

For CSM Adjud, Saturday’s performance was as much about resilience as quality—a narrative thread running through their campaign. With the next fixture looming against a top-four rival, Adjud will need to sharpen both their finishing and defensive discipline if they are to sustain a push for promotion.

FC Bacău II must regroup quickly. With points at a premium and confidence fragile, their immediate focus must be on defensive solidity and capitalizing on opportunities against fellow strugglers. The schedule provides no easy answers; only hard work and self-belief can arrest their slide and reignite hope.

At Stadionul Municipal, the final whistle saw relief and renewed belief for the hosts, resignation for the visitors. As autumn deepens, the storylines diverge: Adjud surging, Bacău II searching. The season, and its stakes, have only just begun.