League Play-Off

Lipetsk
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Roman Balaluev took the kick off in the first half of the match. Roman Balaluev struck a weak shot in the 7th minute. Yakov Noev didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Novosibirsk FC. A collision led to Novosibirsk FC getting a freekick after 11 minutes play. Anton Biryukov hit a great ball. In the 23rd match minute, Novosibirsk FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Artem Pervunin to maneuver through the defense. Novosibirsk FC's Vadim Sobko got a good chance for a goal in the 28th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Yakov Noev made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Vadim Sobko in the 31st minute of play. 37 minutes into the match, Lipetsk FC's goal looked a bit too open when Roman Balaluev came free, but Yakov Noev reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Novosibirsk FC's Stepan Kalnev played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Stepan Fokin in the 39th minute of play. Roman Balaluev sent away a hard shot on goal in the 44th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 45 played minutes Lipetsk FC got a freekick which was hit by Timofey Sheshunov. Vadim Sobko struck a weak shot in the 46th minute. Yakov Noev didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Novosibirsk FC. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

An unexpectedly hard shot by Aleksandr Kulakov in the 51st minute of play forced Novosibirsk FC's goalkeeper Stepan Kalnev to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 58 minutes into the match, Lipetsk FC's Stepan Fokin sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Stepan Kalnev narrowly saved just below the crossbar. An unexpectedly hard shot by Roman Balaluev in the 59th minute of play forced Lipetsk FC's goalkeeper Yakov Noev to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 67th minute, Aleksandr Kulakov got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. The supporters of Lipetsk FC booed when Novosibirsk FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 68 match minutes in a wonderful position. Efim Fanagin didn't get a good kick on the ball. Aleksandr Kulakov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 71st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Stepan Kalnev showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Aleksandr Kulakov in the 73rd minute of the match. Stepan Kalnev took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Stepan Fokin, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 78 minutes into the game, Novosibirsk FC's Roman Balaluev nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Yakov Noev made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 0-1. If Aleksandr Kulakov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 83rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Stepan Fokin received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 85th minute. Stepan Kalnev tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Stepan Fokin sent away a hard shot on goal in the 90th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Lipetsk FC's Yakov Noev played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Roman Balaluev in the 95th minute of play. Yakov Noev was in the perfect position, and the defense had done a good job marking him, but Roman Balaluev showcased his skills and made a perfect shot to score 0-2 in the 96 minute of play. Novosibirsk FC's supporters were very happy and cheered loudly because their team had won after a very close match.