Rimavská Sobota Dig Deep, Stun Novohrad Lučenec in 2-1 Comeback to Shake Up the 3. Liga Standings

On a crisp October afternoon at the Futbalový štadión Na Záhradkách, Rimavská Sobota authored a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over rivals Novohrad Lučenec, reshaping the narrative of the Slovakia 3. liga - Center’s upper tier and reaffirming their resilience after a punishing run of form. For a club battered just days ago, the result was as much about pride as it was about points, and the reverberations will be felt throughout the league’s tightly packed top half.

Second-Half Surge Flips the Script

Novohrad Lučenec arrived in Rimavská Sobota boasting a stronger league pedigree this season—fourth place, 17 points from nine, and a recent 4-1 triumph that suggested momentum was on their side. For the hosts, still licking wounds from consecutive heavy defeats (1-5 at Banská Bystrica II, 1-6 in the domestic cup), optimism was in short supply.

The match’s early stages were defined by tension and tactical caution, both squads aware of the stakes—Novohrad had the chance to push closer to promotion contention, Rimavská Sobota to recover both dignity and ground in the table. The visitors struck first, capitalizing on a defensive lapse midway through the first half. Novohrad’s front line, so often the catalyst in their attack, combined smartly in the box to break the deadlock, sending the modest contingent of traveling supporters into celebration.

Yet, as halftime approached, the signs of a home revival began emerging. Rimavská Sobota’s midfield, previously overrun, found composure. Their response after the interval was immediate and emphatic. Pressing relentlessly, the hosts forced a turnover deep in Novohrad territory; a clever through ball allowed their striker to round the keeper and slot home for the equalizer.

The goal galvanized Rimavská Sobota, and the energy in the stands—restless after the recent drubbings—grew palpably hopeful.

Defining Minutes: The Winning Goal and Its Aftermath

The match’s turning point came with fifteen minutes remaining. Following a series of probing attacks, Rimavská Sobota earned a dangerous free kick at the edge of the area. The execution was clinical: a curling ball whipped toward the six-yard box, where their center back rose highest to power a header beyond the helpless Novohrad keeper, sealing a memorable turnaround.

Tempers briefly flared as the visitors, now chasing the game, pressed forward in desperation. The referee’s cards were kept in check—no dismissals, though one caution apiece came as both sides wrestled for control. In the dying minutes, Novohrad threw numbers forward and nearly forced an equalizer, only to be denied by a sharp reaction save that preserved all three points for the home side.

An Upset with Implications

This result reverberates well beyond the boundaries of Na Záhradkách. Rimavská Sobota leapfrogs competitors to 16 points, keeping pace just behind Novohrad (now with 17), and pulls within striking distance of the coveted promotion places. For a team that weeks ago steamrolled Jednota Bánová 8-1 only to suffer consecutive humiliations, today was a testament to their capacity for self-correction and competitive nerve.

Novohrad Lučenec, meanwhile, face hard questions. Their run of form coming into the match (three wins in five, including a 4-1 dismantling of Podkonice) had suggested a team on the rise. Yet, exposed by late defensive frailty, they now risk losing touch with the league’s front-runners. Their away record—now blemished by three defeats—threatens to undermine their campaign’s early promise.

A Fixture with History

Context lends the afternoon’s drama added resonance. Rimavská Sobota and Novohrad Lučenec have shared contrasting fortunes in their recent head-to-heads. The hosts, buoyed in March by an emphatic 8-1 demolition of Novohrad, have now recorded back-to-back victories in this rivalry—a psychological edge that could prove crucial as the season wears on.

The Road Ahead

For Rimavská Sobota, today’s comeback is more than a result—it’s a reclamation of momentum ahead of a critical stretch. Should their defensive discipline hold and attacking verve return, the path to the league’s upper echelons is clear. The echoes of recent missteps serve as warning, but also as fuel.

Novohrad Lučenec must now regroup. With challengers closing in, the margin for error narrows. Their next matches will test both their tactical flexibility and mental resilience—qualities that, after today, can no longer be taken for granted.

As the autumn chill deepens and the 3. liga’s hierarchy continues to shift, both teams depart Na Záhradkách knowing that, for all their recent journeys, this afternoon’s ninety minutes may well define their campaigns.