August 12, 2020
The opening round of the new season was a week of
surprises with none of fancied sides winning, with CSKA and Slavia only managing
draws, Lokomotiv losing the Plovdiv derby,
Ludogorets suffering a shock defeat in Vratsa and Levski losing at home
to Beroe. Both newly promoted sides manage to start with draws. Sides starting with
B make up the top three after one match. All to play for !
Friday 7th August
CSKA 1948 2-2 CSKA
A thrilling match as upstart newbies stunned CSKA by
storming into an early 2-0 lead thanks to sharp finishes from the Vinnie Jones
look alike, the evergreen 39 year old Martin Kamburov, and Daniel Mladenov.
CSKA recovered with defender Antov heading home from three yards on the stroke
of half-time, and when Sowe levelled the scores in the 52nd minute
it looked like CSKA would go on to win. However, CSKA 1948 held on for an
unlikely point and to suggest they could be in for a good season. CSKA will
regret missing several chances early in the match.
Saturday 8th August
Montana 3-3 Arda
Another thrilling match as the other newcomers to the
Parva Liga also took a point on the opening day. However, this looked unlikely
when after a bright start by Montana, Arda scored twice in less than a minute from
counter attacks to lead 2-0 with 35 minutes on the clock, and to send their
small band of supporters into dreamland. However, Montana themselves scored
twice in a minute shortly after the half-time break to make it 2-2 after 49
minutes, and when Aytov was left free at the back post to give them the lead on
82 minutes it looked the comeback win had been sealed. Unfortunately for
Montana, an own goal in the last minute as several players missed a dangerous
cross and the ball struck a helpless defender gave Arda perhaps a deserved draw.
Botev Vratsa 3-1 Ludogorets
What a stunner ! Champions Ludogorets had lost only one
league match in the 2020/21 season so a trip to unfancied Botev Vratsa was not
expected to cause too many difficulties despite losing in the Super Cup last
week. For the second consecutive match Ludogorets were reduced to 10 men when
the scores were level, this time veteran defender Dyakov headed for the
dressing room after 33 minutes for a second yellow card for an unnecessary
shirt pull. Up to then Vratsa had looked the better side anyway, and they took
full advantage, with all three forwards on the scoresheet – Domochiyski ( 43
mins ), Genov ( 47 ) and Atanasov ( 82 ). When substitute Yankov collapsed to
the floor after perhaps the faintest of touches in injury time, Oliveira scored
from the penalty but it was scant consolidation for a poor display.
Sunday 9th August
Botev Plovdiv 2-0 Lokomotiv Plovdiv
In front of a crowd of 2,000, Botev served their
intentions with their win in the Plovdiv derby. In the 9th minute
Nedelev burst through some static defending to drill a left footed shot across
goal into the corner and the win was sealed with Illev heading home a corner
early in the second half. Lokomotiv rarely threatened.
Slavia 1-1 Cherno More
Slavia made a disappointing start to the season, conceding
an equaliser deep into added on time when keeper Stergiakis misjudged a cross
for Isa at the back post to head back across goal for substitute Valev to score
through a crowd of defenders. Full back Hristov’s brave header from a corner, suffering
a blow to the head in the process, had given Slavia the lead after 7 minutes.
In a dull game of poor quality, Yomov’s free kick 15 minutes from the end was
pushed onto the post by Cherno keeper Dyulgerov, whilst for the visitors Isa
missed a good chance in the first half but sent his shot straight at the
keeper.
Monday 10th August
Levski 0-2 Beroe
Beroe recorded a surprisingly easy victory at Levski
who saw Goranov and Lozev, two key defenders, leave the club before the start
of the season. Beroe appear to have overcome the loss of their key players much
more effectively. With Congo international Gaius Makouta orchestrating the
midfield Beroe dominated the early stages of the match but it took a freak own
goal to give them the lead, Balakov’s right wing crossed appeared to have
little danger but Slavchev’s attempt to clear only succeeded in sending the
ball off his knee past his unsuspecting goalkeeper. Beroe’s second goal came
four minutes before the break, Brazilian Octavio lashing home the loose ball
after his first attempt had been blocked. For Levski, Dutch midfielder
Spierings saw his effort late in the second half well saved by Beroe’s young
keeper Vasilev, but they were well beaten.
Tuesday 11th August
Tsarsko Selo 3-0 Etar
Tsarsko recorded a surprisingly easy win with Anderson
Costa’s ferocious shot from the edge of the area sending them on their way in
the 10th minute. Georgiev added the second two minutes after the
interval with a scruffy diving header, but it probably would have been a
penalty anyway as he was clearly being fouled in the process of scoring. Etar’s
cause wasn’t helped for a second yellow for Krachunov on his league debut, and
their misery was completed when an unfortunate deflection off the back of
Skerlev resulted in an own goal and a 3-0 win for Tsarsko. It could be tough
season for Etar.
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