Pomorac Explodes in Second Half, Stuns Lokomotiva R to Tighten Grip on Promotion Race

Stadion Kantrida, October 11, 2025 — On a crisp autumn afternoon, Lokomotiva R’s ambitions to climb into the Croatian third division’s promotion places were dealt a crushing blow as visiting Pomorac turned a tense first half into a second-half rout, romping to a 4-1 victory and sending a stark message to the rest of 3. HNL West. This wasn’t just a loss for the hosts. It was a statement—a reminder that Pomorac’s unbeaten start to the season is no fluke, and that Lokomotiva R’s promising start may have masked deeper issues.

A Cagey First Half Belies the Carnage to Come

From kickoff, both teams probed cautiously. Lokomotiva R, buoyed by a partisan crowd at Stadion Kantrida, sought to impose their physicality and direct style against a Pomorac side that has thrived on quick transitions and slick interplay. The defensive discipline shown by both sides in the opening 30 minutes suggested a tight, tactical encounter—until Pomorac’s Ivan Marković, drifting unmarked at the edge of the box, unleashed a curling effort beyond the reach of Lokomotiva’s goalkeeper in the 38th minute. The goal, seemingly against the run of play, stunned the home supporters and set the tone for the remainder of the match.

Lokomotiva R responded with urgency, but their attacks were blunted by a resolute Pomorac back line. Just before halftime, a quick counter saw Pomorac’s left winger, Duje Perić, cross for Josip Vuković to double the lead. The glancing header left Lokomotiva’s players visibly shaken as they trudged off at the interval.

Second-Half Surge Seals Lokomotiva’s Fate

Whatever Lokomotiva coach Ivan Petrović said at halftime failed to steady his team. Five minutes after the restart, a mix-up in communication between Lokomotiva’s center back and goalkeeper gifted Pomorac’s Marko Antić a tap-in. The third goal deflated the hosts and electrified the visitors.

Lokomotiva’s lone bright spot came in the 62nd minute, when midfielder Matej Horvat capitalized on a rare defensive lapse, slotting past Pomorac’s keeper to briefly inject hope. But the reprieve was short-lived. Pomorac responded immediately: Vuković, already on the scoresheet, completed his brace with a clinical finish from a through ball that split the Lokomotiva defense. The fourth goal extinguished any lingering belief in a comeback and sent the away fans into raptures.

Context: Two Teams on Diverging Paths

This result does more than shuffle the table. It exposes the fragility of Lokomotiva R’s early-season promise. Before today, they sat third with 13 points from six matches—respectable, but now far behind Pomorac’s 16 points and unbeaten record. Lokomotiva’s last five games included a confidence-boosting 2-0 win at OŠK Omišalj and a disastrous 0-3 loss at Halubjan Viškovo. In contrast, Pomorac’s only blemish was a recent 1-1 draw with Kraljevica, sandwiched between dominant victories like a 4-0 thrashing of Crikvenica.

The gulf in form was laid bare today. Pomorac’s midfield, marshaled by captain Luka Babić, controlled the tempo, while Lokomotiva’s attackers were starved of service, their frustration growing as the match wore on. There were no red cards, but Lokomotiva’s discipline frayed, with three bookings reflecting their mounting desperation.

What This Means for the Promotion Picture

Pomorac’s commanding performance not only maintains their unbeaten run but also tightens their grip on second place, just a point behind the league leaders. With a plus-10 goal difference, they are beginning to look like genuine title contenders. Lokomotiva R, meanwhile, sees their promotion hopes dented. The gap to the top is widening, and questions will now be asked about their ability to compete with the division’s elite.

Looking Ahead

For Pomorac, the challenge is to sustain this momentum. Their blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair makes them a formidable opponent, but the real test will come in the weeks ahead, as fixtures against fellow contenders loom large. For Lokomotiva R, the task is more urgent: regroup, refocus, and rediscover the defensive resolve that propelled their early-season rise.

In the end, this match was less about a single result than about trajectories. Pomorac is upwardly mobile, playing with the swagger of a team that believes in its destiny. Lokomotiva R, for all their early promise, must now confront hard truths—starting with the reality that, on this evidence, they are not yet ready for the next level. The road to promotion is long, but after today, one of these teams looks far better equipped to handle the journey.