Gryf Wejherowo vs Polonia Bytom

The first half finished goalless, with both sides feeling each other out in a characteristically cagey early-summer friendly. Polonia Bytom — a Betclic 1. Liga side — dominated possession but found little space against a well-organised Gryf defence playing on their own turf in front of a home crowd celebrating the club's 105-year history.

Gryf, who had finished their IV liga pomorska season only a week earlier with a 4-1 win over Chojniczanka II, matched their higher-tier opponents for long stretches. The home side's starting XI — Wika in goal, with Bojke, Kątny, Lisowski, Kowalewski, Małolepszy, Kwidziński, Rompca, Gułajski, Krefta and Iwański — kept Polonia's front line quiet through the first 45.

The breakthrough came late. In the 89th minute, substitute Konrad Andrzejczak found the net for Polonia Bytom, converting what proved to be the match-winner. The goal was a sucker punch for Gryf, who had held firm for 88 minutes and looked capable of seeing out a 0-0 draw against a side two divisions above them.

Andrzejczak's introduction from the bench proved decisive. The Polonia striker had been one of several second-half changes made by coach Konrad Gerega, who used the friendly to give minutes to a total of 14 substitutes including Mazur, Apolinarski, Arak, Harwin, Jokel, Skupin, Spendel, Szymusik, Winkler, Wołkowicz and Zieliński. With fresh legs against a tiring IV-liga defence, Andrzejczak exploited a brief lapse to prod home from close range.

• Konrad Andrzejczak (Polonia Bytom) — came off the bench to score the winner in the 89th minute, justifying Gerega's decision to rotate his squad.
• Gryf Wejherowo's back line — Bojke, Kątny, Lisowski and Kowalewski held a first-division attack at bay until the dying minutes, a disciplined defensive display.
• Michał Rybacki (Polonia Bytom) — the goalkeeper kept a clean sheet without being seriously tested, but his organisation of the back four kept Gryf's counter-attacks at arm's length.

Player of the match: Konrad Andrzejczak — the only goal wins it, however late it arrived.

The match statistics (possession, shots, xG) are not available from the provider for this Club Friendly fixture. However, the match timeline tells its own story: a 0-0 deadlock for 88 minutes suggests a tight, low-risk contest typical of pre-season. Polonia Bytom's 14 substitutes used further highlights the experimental nature of the game.

Gryf's ability to keep it goalless for so long against a side from Poland's second tier should be noted. The IV-liga side conceded only one shot finding the net, and that in the 89th minute with tired legs on the pitch.

For Polonia Bytom, this was the first pre-season friendly of their 2026/27 preparations. The Betclic 1. Liga side returned to training after a month's break following the end of last season. The win provides a confidence boost, even in a friendly context, as they build towards the new campaign.

For Gryf Wejherowo, the match was primarily a celebration. The club marked its 105th anniversary with speeches from president Dariusz Mikołajczak and honorary president Rafał Szlas, with deputy mayor Arkadiusz Kraszkiewicz also in attendance. On the pitch, the performance against a higher-division opponent was encouraging — they came within a minute of earning a creditable draw.

Gryf ended their 2025/26 IV liga pomorska season in 11th place. Their next competitive fixture will be the start of the 2026/27 season in August 2026. Polonia Bytom's pre-season schedule continues as they prepare for the new Betclic 1. Liga campaign.

A classic pre-season friendly decided by a late goal. For Polonia Bytom, it was a useful first run-out with squad rotation and fitness building taking priority. For Gryf Wejherowo, the occasion was always about the 105th anniversary celebrations, but the narrow defeat to a side two divisions higher offered genuine encouragement for the season ahead.