League Play-Off

Penza
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Penza's Natan Soinikov started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. With a little luck, Sterlitamak FC's Gennadiy Reshetnev got control of the ball when Aleksey Bublikov tried to sneak it across the goal line. Aleksey Bublikov in the 6thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Gennadiy Reshetnev, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. After 9 minutes of play, Sterlitamak FC's Vladislav Eremin made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Yuriy Mescherov was left in no man's land by his defense there! In the 17th minute of the match Lev Molchanov sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Yuriy Mescherov skillfully saved the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Natan Soinikov in the 21st minute of play forced Sterlitamak FC's goalkeeper Gennadiy Reshetnev to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Penza's Yuriy Mescherov played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Vladislav Eremin in the 29th minute of play. Aleksey Bublikov took the ball and in the 36 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Gennadiy Reshetnev. Gennadiy Reshetnev dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-1. The audience thought a goal was coming when Aleksey Bublikov got free with Gennadiy Reshetnev in the 40th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The supporters of Penza booed when Sterlitamak FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 41 match minutes in a wonderful position. Pavel Nogtev didn't get a good kick on the ball. After some fancy dribbling in the 42nd minute, Natan Soinikov managed to get in a good position for a shot. Penza's supporters rose to their feet, but Natan Soinikov was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Gennadiy Reshetnev breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Vladislav Eremin to strike the kick off in the second half. When Aleksandr Bauman came up free with the goalie in the 52nd minute, the Sterlitamak FC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Aleksandr Bauman couldn't finish the play. Natan Soinikov struck a weak shot in the 57th minute. Gennadiy Reshetnev didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Penza. Vladislav Eremin's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Yuriy Mescherov read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 62nd minute of play. In the 62nd minute, Petr Klementev hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The audience thought a goal was coming when Vladislav Eremin got free with Yuriy Mescherov in the 69th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. Gennadiy Reshetnev took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Aleksey Bublikov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Natan Soinikov fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 80th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Gennadiy Reshetnev having to interfere. In the 83rd minute of the match Nikolay Gryaznoy shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Gennadiy Reshetnev showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. When Mark Zinovev came up free with the goalie in the 85th minute, the Sterlitamak FC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Mark Zinovev couldn't finish the play. After a defensive mix-up in Penza's zone, Vladislav Eremin stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Yuriy Mescherov came out of the goal and Vladislav Eremin tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Gennadiy Reshetnev took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Natan Soinikov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Natan Soinikov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 91st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 94 minutes into the game, Natan Soinikov cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 4-1. Gennadiy Reshetnev was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Penza were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Sterlitamak FC for a fine match.