Gloria Băneasa Finds Clarity in the Fog: Resilient Hosts Outplay FCSB II to Revitalize Liga III Campaign

On a mist-laden afternoon at Stadionul Central Băneasa, where the autumn chill clung to the grass and anticipation hung heavy in the stands, Gloria Băneasa delivered a performance that brought both warmth and renewed purpose to the local faithful. A 2-0 victory over FCSB II not only pushed the hosts up the crowded Liga III - Serie 3 table but announced their intent to transform a wavering season into one marked by resolve and ambition.

The match, nestled in the heart of October, unfolded as a test of character for both sides: Gloria—fresh from a pair of breathless, high-scoring triumphs but still bearing scars from early stumbles—and FCSB II, a perennial proving ground for youth, whose own form had been as unpredictable as the autumn weather.

The first half was a measured dance of nerves and muscle. Băneasa, emboldened by consecutive offensive outbursts in recent weeks—a 5-1 blitz at Dunarea Calarasi, a 5-2 dismantling of Gheorghe Doja—took to the field with a sense of purpose. From the outset, their attacking core pressed high, forcing FCSB II into hurried clearances and midfield scrambles.

The breakthrough, however, owed as much to patient buildup as to explosive finishing. In the 27th minute, midfielder Ionuț Munteanu pounced on a loose ball at the top of the area after a surging overlap from left back Andrei Stoica. Stoica’s low cross rattled through a forest of defenders, and Munteanu—unmarked and merciless—swept a curling drive beyond the outstretched hands of FCSB II’s goalkeeper. The stadium erupted, the goal a release valve for a week’s worth of hope and tension.

FCSB II responded with flickers of their own, drawing upon the promise that had powered a 4-0 rout of Axiopolis just days before. Yet the visitors, missing the rhythm that had graced their victories, found themselves frustrated by Băneasa’s disciplined back line and the reflexes of veteran keeper Alexandru Toma. The match’s turning point arrived just shy of halftime, when a swift breakaway forced FCSB II’s captain, Mihai Sava, into a desperate challenge on Băneasa’s leading scorer Cristian Dobre. The tackle, late and reckless, drew an immediate yellow—tempering FCSB II’s aggression and marking a subtle but critical shift in the afternoon’s tenor.

As the clouds thickened after the interval, so too did Gloria’s control. The insurance goal, when it arrived in the 65th minute, was a masterclass in direct football. Dobre, whose pace has been a bellwether for this side, latched onto a looping clearance and surged clear. His finish, a deft chip under pressure, brought the crowd to its feet and the score to a decisive 2-0. The celebrations on the sideline betrayed relief as much as joy: three points, at last, within grasp.

FCSB II, chasing shadows, mustered a spell of late pressure, but Băneasa’s defense—anchored by the imposing Valentin Georgescu—held firm, snuffing out forays with a confidence that had been lacking earlier this fall. There were no red cards, but tempers simmered; with both clubs locked on 10 points before kickoff, every contest for possession carried an extra edge.

The final whistle was accompanied by a palpable sense of vindication. After seven matches, Gloria Băneasa now sits 5th in Serie 3, level on 13 points with their opponents but with momentum swinging their way. The result also separates them, at least briefly, from the traffic jam in mid-table—a reward for a fortnight that has seen them rediscover their scoring touch and defensive discipline.

For FCSB II, the defeat is a sobering setback. Their campaign, defined by fits and starts, will require renewed focus if they are to keep pace with the promotion chase. The youthful side, so often lauded for flair, found themselves outmatched in experience and execution when it counted.

Both sides have history in this league; previous encounters have swung narrowly, but today’s contest felt like a statement of intent for Gloria Băneasa. Their resurgence—three wins in the last four league outings—has come not by accident, but by a steady maturation that was on full display in front of a jubilant home crowd.

With the heart of the season looming, the stakes intensify. Gloria Băneasa, emboldened by this result and their sparkling recent form, must now guard against complacency as they eye a push toward the promotion places. FCSB II faces a test of resilience: forced to regroup, refocus, and reclaim the consistency that once made them contenders.

On this foggy Saturday, as the sun tried and failed to pierce the haze, clarity belonged to the men in blue and white. Their message, written in bold on the scoreboard and etched in the memory of their supporters, was unmistakable: the climb continues, and they will not be left behind.