Vladislavs Gutkovskis delivered an assist, but it was not enough to save Arka Gdynia from a heavy 1-4 defeat away to Piast Gliwice in a crucial Ekstraklasa match.
With five rounds remaining, the stakes could hardly have been higher. Arka entered the match in the relegation zone, just two points behind their direct rivals Piast, making this clash a potential turning point in the fight for survival.
However, the visitors’ evening got off to the worst possible start. Inside eight minutes, a costly defensive mistake led to a penalty for Piast. Although the spot kick was missed, the warning signs were clear – and just two minutes later, the hosts found the breakthrough from open play to take an early lead.
Piast carried that momentum into the second half, doubling their advantage shortly after the restart. Yet Arka showed brief signs of life almost immediately. Gutkovskis, operating from the left flank, floated a delicate ball into the penalty area where Dawid Kocyla controlled it on his chest before firing home to reduce the deficit to 1-2.
For a moment, it looked like Arka might mount a comeback – but that hope quickly faded. As the match entered its final stages, Piast struck twice more, punishing Arka’s defensive fragility and sealing a comprehensive 4-1 victory.
Gutkovskis, who once again started the match, registered his first assist of the season to go alongside three goals, making it his 12th appearance in the Ekstraklasa campaign.
They remain 17th in the table with 34 points, still in the relegation zone, although the standings remain tightly packed – with just two wins separating them from mid-table safety.
The challenge does not get any easier next. Arka will face a daunting away trip to league leaders Lech Poznan next Friday, in what could prove to be another defining moment in their battle to stay in the top flight.
