Rudar Labin’s Revival: Underdogs Break Winless Run in Thriller, Stun Vinodol 4-2 at Gradski stadion

On a crisp autumn afternoon in Labin, a winless Rudar side, buried at the foot of the Third NL – Istok table, conjured a rousing display to stun mid-table Vinodol, clinching their first victory of the campaign in a six-goal spectacle that will linger in local memory. For the men in black and gold, tormented by stalemates and narrow defeats, this was more than three points: it was reprieve, belief, and a rebirth on home turf.

A Fifth-Minute Jolt, Then Chaos

Rudar Labin’s season had been defined by frustration—no wins, three draws, and a trio of losses their only currency. Yet from the opening whistle at Gradski stadion, an urgency pulsed through the side. In the fifth minute, Labin’s diminutive playmaker sliced open Vinodol’s backline, releasing forward Ivan Kovačević in stride. His angled finish jolted the stadium into life, the first home goal since September.

But any sense this would be a pedestrian afternoon soon vanished. Vinodol, boasting seven points and a top-half standing, responded with the composure of a side accustomed to controlling matches. In the 17th minute, Petar Vuković capitalized on a defensive miscue to hammer the equalizer past the sprawling Rudar keeper. The roar of the visiting fans signaled intent—the script would be rewritten.

Turning Point: Rudar’s Ruthless Spell

If Rudar had been accused of lacking killer instinct, today they found it—and in devastating blitz. From the 28th to the 35th minute, the hosts unleashed a storm. First, a looping header from Marko Blažević restored the lead, a set-piece routine executed to perfection. Three minutes later, captain Luka Delić drove forward, finished from the edge of the box, and peeled away to delirium: 3-1.

Vinodol pressed, desperate to narrow the gap before halftime. Their momentum, however, was throttled on 42 minutes when midfielder Tomislav Milić saw red for a reckless challenge—prompting protests but ultimately sealing his side’s fate. Down a man and two goals, Vinodol faced a mountain.

A Second-Half Surge and Resistance

The second period saw a tactical reshuffle for Vinodol, who clawed one back—Filip Jurić’s powerful strike in the 57th minute halved the deficit and raised hopes of a rescue act. For ten breathless minutes, a Vinodol equalizer seemed imminent. The visitors pressed, sending crosses and corner kicks into the packed box.

Yet Rudar, so brittle in weeks past, exhibited uncharacteristic steel. Shot-stopper Dario Perić commanded his area, denying Jurić another with a finger-tip save as the clock ticked towards eighty.

The denouement came in the 88th minute, as substitute Matija Hrvatin burst clear on the counter and stroked home Rudar’s fourth. The bench emptied in celebration—a cathartic release after a winless autumn.

Context: A Win That Changes Everything

For Rudar Labin, the result upends their narrative. Entering the day rooted in 16th, the basement of the Third NL – Istok, and with only three points amassed from six laborious outings (0W-3D-3L), their prospects appeared grim. The last five matches have been a tapestry of disappointment—a 0-1 away loss at Banjole and a goalless draw at OŠK Omišalj underscored their struggles. Goals had been elusive; joy, rarer still.

Their opponent, Vinodol, arrived perched at 7th with nine points (2W-3D-1L). A string of positive results—most notably a 3-1 win over Nehaj and a credible 0-0 draw with Crikvenica—suggested a team on the rise. If head-to-head history favored Vinodol in recent years, today Rudar reversed the trend in emphatic fashion.

What’s at Stake

For Rudar Labin, the triumph does more than lift the mood—it provides oxygen in the relegation fight. Three points now separate them from the abyss, and a first win may foster momentum poised to carry them from danger. Coach Igor Kovač credited his squad’s intensity: “We played like our season depended on it. We must continue with this fire.”

Vinodol, meanwhile, are left to reckon with their inconsistency, their top-half ambitions dented. The loss marks a missed opportunity to cement their place outside the chasing pack. Coach Mario Stanić lamented the red card and defensive lapses: “We must regroup, learn, and be better.”

As the campaign grinds on, both sides face pivotal stretches—Rudar seeking to convert hope into survival, Vinodol aiming to reassert their credentials. Today’s drama at Gradski stadion, a match of great swings and greater consequence, will echo across Labin long after dusk.