1st National League

Bergheim consolidates pole position with a performance of will

Great jubilation at Bergheim after strong team performance(Bild: Fussball-Impressionen vom Salzburger Unterhaus)

Just one round after the winter break, FC Bergheim have already pulled away from their direct competitors in the 1st Landesliga with a three-pointer at the top of the table. 

On Saturday, ASV Salzburg lost their way in Markus Teufl's comeback as head coach. After Friedrich Oberascher left the team at short notice, the team from the city did not look stable enough in the penultimate game in Pfarrwerfen and were not superior. In the end, they were surprisingly beaten 3:1.

It takes weeks to properly train a new coach. We have therefore decided on an internal interim solution until the summer.

ASV Salzburg-Trainer Markus Teufl

It was a different story for Bergheim, who fought their way to a 2:1 home win against Altenmarkt. They fell behind with their opponents' first action, but the hosts responded shortly afterwards with an equalizer. In the end, there was great jubilation, as redemption only came in the 85th minute with a goal from Podlipnig, who had just come on as a substitute. "Dominik deserved this goal thanks to his hard work and good development," beamed coach Alexander Pilaj.

The game was not a footballing treat, it was a victory of will. But in the end it was the result that counted.

Bergheim-Coach Alexander Pilaj

The lead was even extended, as Neumarkt also unexpectedly dropped points in Mühlbach. An early, controversial exclusion shaped the game, which Bachler decided with a brace. The only bitter thing: Mühlbach's Embacher ruptured his Achilles tendon early in the game.

We want to be in better shape next week against Anthering.

Neumarkt-Sportchef Hans Hajek

So far, the battle for the top of the table has been very close between these three teams. After this weekend, one team was able to stand out from the rest for the first time and make a statement. Thomas Schaier

1st Landesliga: Mühlbach/Pzg. - Neumarkt 2:0 (0:0), Bergheim - Altenmarkt 2:1 (1:1), Anthering - Hallwang 0:1 (0:0), ATSV Salzburg - Bad Hofgastein 1:1 (0:0), Pfarrwerfen - ASV Salzburg 3:1 (2:0), Tamsweg - Kaprun 5:2 (2:1), Berndorf - Schwarzach 2:3 (1:1).