League Play-Off

Stadion Novocherkass
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) In the 5th minute Nestor Vernikovskiy shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Konstantin Dvinskiy saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After having played for 12 minutes, Stanislav Isaev managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Khimki FC's supporters crossed their fingers, but Stanislav Isaev was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Yakov Kumov kicked well hit freekick during the 14th minute of the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 28th minute, Yakov Kumov managed to get in a good position for a shot. Khimki FC's supporters rose to their feet, but Yakov Kumov was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Eduard Polyaschuk breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Arsen Kochetov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 31st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. An unexpectedly hard shot by Yakov Kumov in the 38th minute of play forced Novocherkassk FC's goalkeeper Eduard Polyaschuk to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. In the 40th minute Yakov Kumov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Eduard Polyaschuk saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 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.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Nestor Vernikovskiy was the one to do the kick off. When Nestor Vernikovskiy came up free with the goalie in the 52nd minute, the Novocherkassk 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 Nestor Vernikovskiy couldn't finish the play. 53 minutes into the game, Pavel Osmonov was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Khimki FC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Novocherkassk FC the free kick. Pavel Osmonov kicked well hit freekick during the 53rd minute of the match. If Nestor Vernikovskiy had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 57th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When Mark Voronov fell near the penalty area in the 59th minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Khimki FC's protests and gave Mark Voronov a yellow card for diving instead. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 58th minute of the game. One of Khimki FC:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Novocherkassk FC:s goal. Yakov Kumov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 64th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Novocherkassk FC's Eduard Polyaschuk proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 65th minute of the match, managed to save Novocherkassk FC from getting a goal against them. Stanislav Isaev struck a weak shot in the 68th minute. Eduard Polyaschuk didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Khimki FC. An unexpectedly hard shot by Viktor Abramov in the 71st minute of play forced Khimki FC's goalkeeper Konstantin Dvinskiy to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 73 minutes into the game, Viktor Abramov cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 1-0. Konstantin Dvinskiy was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Stanislav Isaev fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 79th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Eduard Polyaschuk having to interfere. An unexpectedly hard shot by Viktor Abramov in the 82nd minute of play forced Khimki FC's goalkeeper Konstantin Dvinskiy to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 85 played minutes Novocherkassk FC got a freekick which was hit by Vladislav Bandera. Eduard Polyaschuk showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Yakov Kumov in the 86th minute of the match. Khimki FC's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.