Tesla Stropkov Extends Home Surge, Sinks Poprad 2-1 to Cement Top-Four Ambitions in 3. liga - East

On a brisk October afternoon at Futbalový štadión MŠK TESLA Stropkov, the home side continued its climb up the 3. liga – East standings, toppling Poprad 2-1 in a match that ran the gamut from early dominance to late drama. For Stropkov, it was a result that not only consolidates their place among the league’s elite but also underscores a remarkable run of autumn form—a contrast to Poprad’s deepening struggles near the foot of the table.

From the opening whistle, Stropkov’s intent was clear: press high, dictate the match’s rhythm, and seize a foothold against a Poprad side in need of stability after a string of uneven results. Stropkov’s supporters—buoyed by the recent 4-3 shootout victory over Raslavice and a memorable 4-2 cup win at Poprad—did not have to wait long for a reason to feel optimistic.

The breakthrough arrived in the 19th minute, capping a spell of sustained pressure. A sharp, purposeful move down the right culminated in a cutback across the penalty area, where Stropkov’s talismanic midfielder slotted a low shot beyond the outstretched Poprad keeper. It was a fitting opener for a team that has found goals easy to come by in recent weeks, with 18 scored in their last five outings across league and cup fixtures.

Poprad, for their part, showed resilience. Despite sitting 12th and having managed just one win in their last five league appearances, they responded with composure. The visitors nearly found parity on the half-hour mark—a looping header from a set piece forcing an acrobatic save from Stropkov’s goalkeeper. The opportunity served as a warning that, even amidst a difficult campaign, Poprad could not be written off.

The match’s defining sequence came just after halftime. In the 52nd minute, Stropkov capitalized on a defensive lapse, as a misplayed clearance landed at the boots of their center forward, who made no mistake from close range. The home crowd erupted, sensing that a fifth consecutive win was within grasp. Yet, as has so often been the case in this fixture, Poprad refused to capitulate.

With 68 minutes gone, Poprad pulled themselves back into contention. A quick interlude in midfield released their winger down the left, and his pinpoint cross was met by the striker’s flicked header—nestled into the far corner for 2-1. The goal injected urgency and risk into the closing stanza, with Poprad pushing numbers forward and Stropkov content to exploit the spaces on the counter.

As the match ticked toward its denouement, it threatened to boil over: tempers flared after a crunching midfield challenge, with both teams earning cautions in the final ten minutes. But neither side saw red, and the contest, defined by its honest endeavor and stretches of open football, remained just on the right side of the disciplinary line.

Despite a frantic late spell in which Poprad threw men forward and fired several hopeful shots from distance, Stropkov’s defense held firm. At the final whistle, the hosts claimed all three points, inching up to 16 for the season—good for fourth place, and leaving them within striking distance of the league’s summit. Their run—five straight wins in all competitions and back-to-back victories over Poprad in both league and cup—continues to garner attention as one of the autumn’s outstanding stories.

Poprad, meanwhile, saw their struggles deepen. With just seven points from nine matches and four defeats in their last five, they remain mired in the league’s lower reaches. Their spirited second-half showing offered a glimmer of hope, but the lack of goals—and an inability to secure points on the road—remains a pressing concern.

The head-to-head narrative makes for sobering reading in Poprad’s camp: twice in less than a fortnight, Stropkov has bested them, by a combined scoreline of 6-3. For the hosts, the psychological edge of this mini-duel could prove crucial as the season’s pivotal fixtures approach.

Looking ahead, Stropkov’s ability to maintain this level—especially against top-half rivals—will determine how far their ambitions can stretch. For Poprad, the road grows steeper. With fixtures piling up and the margin for error shrinking, a response is imperative if they are to avoid a sustained relegation battle.

But on this October Sunday, it was the men in Stropkov blue who took center stage—pragmatic, punishing, and brimming with purpose. As the league table takes shape, a top-four finish feels less like a surprise and more like a statement of intent.