League Play-Off

Stadion Elektrostal
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Yuriy Agapov made the kick off and thus started the match. The crowd rose to their feet as Askold Lomakin kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Nikolay Evseev. That made the score 2-0 in the 8 minute of play. Nikolay Evseev showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Yuriy Agapov in the 11th minute of the match. If Yakov Timashov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 15th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Danila Boyarintsev didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Afanasiy Solomatin went, in the 20th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-1 was the resulting score. Smolensk's Yakov Timashov got a good chance for a goal in the 25th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Yakov Timashov's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Danila Boyarintsev read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 26th minute of play. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Afanasiy Solomatin in the 28th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Danila Boyarintsev prevented the ball from getting in the gole. After 33 minutes, Yakov Timashov made it 2-2 with a short kick to the right side. Elektrostal FC's Danila Boyarintsev tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. In the 37th minute Yuriy Agapov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Nikolay Evseev saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Rustam Grek charged in rather forcefully in the 37th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Rustam Grek the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After a rather tough play, Smolensk's Rustam Grek got a free kick in the 38th minute. If Timofey Sokol had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 39th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. Askold Lomakin kicked well hit freekick during the 44th minute of the match. In the 46th minute the ball was on its way in behind Smolensk's goalkeeper Nikolay Evseev, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Afanasiy Solomatin to strike the kick off in the second half. Timofey Sokol recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 53rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Lev Boyarintsev recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 57th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Danila Boyarintsev didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 64th minute, which inside left pole to 2-3. Danila Boyarintsev made a fantastic save in the 73rd minute, when Yakov Timashov sent off a good shot on target. After 74 played minutes Elektrostal FC got a freekick which was hit by Viktor Arshavin. Yakov Timashov could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 77th minute of the match, but Danila Boyarintsev made a huge save. Yuriy Agapov recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 83rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. 86 minutes into the game, Sergey Adler was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Elektrostal FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Smolensk the free kick. A collision led to Elektrostal FC getting a freekick after 86 minutes play. Sergey Adler hit a great ball. In the 89th minute Smolensk were awarded a corner. Aleksandr Kirichenko went to the cornerflag to take it. It was a well-played corner which Rustam Grek managed to volley towards the net. Unfortunately, he didn't get a great hit on the ball and it went out into the grandstand. 92 minutes into the match, Elektrostal FC's goal looked a bit too open when Afanasiy Solomatin came free, but Danila Boyarintsev reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Smolensk's Nikolay Evseev played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Yuriy Agapov in the 94th minute of play. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Smolensk eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.