First win of the season! SKN ends goal drought against Austria Salzburg

In the fifth round of the ADMIRAL 2. Liga, SKN St. Pölten finally broke their goal drought.

The Lower Austrians celebrated a narrow 1-0 home victory against Austria Salzburg, getting on the scoreboard for the first time this season. After four opening defeats, SKN achieved their first full success.

Little offensive football before the break

SKN started the match with effort and had their first chance after just two minutes. Jonathan Amon took a shot from about 18 meters in front of goal but missed significantly.

At the other end, danger first arose in the 12th minute. A long ball behind St. Pölten's last defensive line kept going, leaving Christian Gebauer essentially through on goal. However, Niklas Szerencsi still crucially bothered the Salzburg player, causing him to completely miss the ball when shooting.

In the 27th minute, SKN had their best chance yet. Amon laid the ball off for Winfred Amoah, whose shot from the edge of the box was crucially deflected just in time.

In the 39th minute, the spell finally seemed broken. Leomend Krasniqi played a beautiful through ball to Amoah, who then squared it to Luis Hartweg. The latter only had to tap it in – but the goal did not count. Amoah was narrowly offside in the build-up.

Shortly before halftime, Salzburg also had another opportunity. Gebauer played a through ball to Christian Huetz, but his shot from a tight angle was blocked. Thus, the teams went into the dressing rooms with a fair 0-0.

Amon redeems the "Wolves"

As at the start of the match, the Lower Austrians came out of the dressing room stronger. Again, a shot from Amon from close range was blocked (47').

Just a minute later, the American once again shot from the right half, about eight meters in front of goal. However, his shot went agonizingly wide of the left post – a goal was in the air.

St. Pölten now increased the pressure. Patrizio Rupp, who was substituted at halftime, also had a good chance but failed to convert (51').

In the 58th minute, it finally happened: After 418 minutes without scoring a goal, SKN broke their goal drought. Amon shot from a half-left position inside the penalty area and scored with his weaker left foot. His shot went through the legs of Simon Nesler-Täubl and caused immense relief among the hosts.

SKN holds on to the lead

After that, the guests began their best phase.

Raphael Hofer curled a free-kick from about 25 meters over the wall towards the top right corner. However, SKN goalkeeper Christopher Knett read the situation correctly and caught the precise, but not powerful enough, attempt (63').

Shortly after, St. Pölten cleared the danger in the nick of time. Nico Lukasser-Weitlaner, who had just come on, only had to square the ball to the accompanying Tamar Crnkic, but Lukas Buchegger crucially threw himself in between (67').

SKN lurked for quick counter-attacks, and Amon even seemed to score his second goal after winning a high ball. He chipped Nesler-Täubl, but was called back for offside. The decision is at least debatable, as it looked like he was level (72').

Substitute Valentin Ferstl also had the chance to seal the win shortly after (80'). Lukasser-Weitlaner almost punished their careless finishing, but Knett clawed the striker's header off the line (89').

In the end, it remained a narrow 1-0. SKN St. Pölten thus celebrated their first win of the season and moved up from 15th to 14th place in the table. Austria Salzburg, on the other hand, dropped to fourth place.