League Play-Off

Novoshakhtinsk
Spectators: 36 (Terracing: 28, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Efim Menshikov did some fancy footwork in front of goal and succeeded to deceive the defenders so he could slam the ball in 1-1 to the left of a surprised Albert Butrov 6 minutes into the match. After 9 played minutes Novoshakhtinsk FC got a freekick which was hit by Dmitriy Zubanov. An unexpectedly hard shot by Georgiy Hitrin in the 11th minute of play forced Novoshakhtinsk FC's goalkeeper Valeriy Bratchuk to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. If Georgiy Hitrin had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 13th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Efim Menshikov struck a weak shot in the 22nd minute. Albert Butrov didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Novoshakhtinsk FC. Georgiy Hitrin recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 27th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Maksim Yarohovich kicked well hit freekick during the 29th minute of the match. In the 31st minute, Efim Menshikov hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Valeriy Bratchuk showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Georgiy Hitrin, who was totally free with the ball in the 35th minute. Georgiy Hitrin struck a weak shot in the 38th minute. Valeriy Bratchuk didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Arzamas. After 45 minutes Arzamas's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Marat Koshelev who took care of the corner kick. Novoshakhtinsk FC's Marat Koshelev was first on the ball when the corner was shot and he dangerously headed the ball towards goal, but Albert Butrov in the goal jumped up to prevent it from getting in. Efim Menshikov recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 46th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. The first half was very even, with the score at 1-1 when the whistle went for half-time. The players welcomed the break and quickly retired to the dressing rooms.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Leonid Evseev to strike the kick off in the second half. Albert Butrov showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Denis Valentinov, who was totally free with the ball in the 52nd minute. In the 52nd minute, Timur Aksenov hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. After 55 played minutes Novoshakhtinsk FC got a freekick which was hit by Marat Koshelev. 57 minutes into the match, Novoshakhtinsk FC's goalkeeper Valeriy Bratchuk had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Georgiy Hitrin. Albert Butrov made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Denis Valentinov in the 60th minute of play. After a rather tough play, Arzamas's Timur Aksenov got a free kick in the 63rd minute. Valeriy Bratchuk made a fantastic save in the 67th minute, when Georgiy Hitrin sent off a good shot on target. If Efim Menshikov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 68th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Denis Valentinov received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 75th minute. Albert Butrov tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. 78 minutes into the match, Arzamas's goal looked a bit too open when Efim Menshikov came free, but Albert Butrov reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Albert Butrov showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Efim Menshikov in the 81st minute of the match. Albert Butrov took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Denis Valentinov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Efim Menshikov fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 86th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Albert Butrov having to interfere. Leonid Evseev fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 89th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Valeriy Bratchuk having to interfere. After 90 played minutes Novoshakhtinsk FC got a freekick which was hit by Yaroslav Panfilov. The supporters of Arzamas booed when Novoshakhtinsk FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 92 match minutes in a wonderful position. Yaroslav Panfilov didn't get a good kick on the ball. Arzamas's Albert Butrov played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Efim Menshikov in the 96th minute of play. The second half was just like the first, even and exciting. The match ended in a draw.