League Play-Off

Nizhny Tagil
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The sun was shining, the grass was green and the audience cheered when Aleksandr Utkin got the match started through his kick off. In the 5th minute Konstantin Berestov shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Ernest Misikov saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Klim Ignatov during the 5th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. The supporters of Velikiy Novgorod FC booed when Nizhny Tagil FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 6 match minutes in a wonderful position. Klim Ignatov didn't get a good kick on the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Gleb Kuznetsov in the 9th minute of play forced Velikiy Novgorod FC's goalkeeper Emmanuil Peskovets to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Konstantin Berestov recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 12th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Ernest Misikov made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Aleksandr Utkin in the 17th minute of play. Stepan Tuikin hit a great freekick 18 minutes into the match. When Konstantin Berestov came up free with the goalie in the 22nd minute, the Velikiy Novgorod 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 Konstantin Berestov couldn't finish the play. Nizhny Tagil FC's Ernest Misikov played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Konstantin Berestov in the 24th minute of play. Emmanuil Peskovets made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Gleb Kuznetsov in the 26th minute of play. Andrey Kazachenok kicked well hit freekick during the 27th minute of the match. If Stepan Benediktov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 28th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Gleb Kuznetsov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 32nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 35 minutes into the match, Velikiy Novgorod FC's Mikhail Kidyaev sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Ernest Misikov narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Konstantin Berestov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 37th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Konstantin Berestov struck a weak shot in the 38th minute. Ernest Misikov didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Velikiy Novgorod FC. If Aleksandr Utkin had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 46th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 48th match minute, Velikiy Novgorod FC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Konstantin Berestov to maneuver through the defense.

The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Gleb Kuznetsov was the one to do the kick off. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gleb Kuznetsov in the 56th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Emmanuil Peskovets saved Velikiy Novgorod FC from getting behind. If Stepan Benediktov had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 60th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 64th minute, Gleb Kuznetsov left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Nizhny Tagil FC fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-0. With a little luck, Nizhny Tagil FC's Ernest Misikov got control of the ball when Paramon Zhuravlev tried to sneak it across the goal line. In the 71st play minute Konstantin Berestov came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Ernest Misikov. 1-1. Paramon Zhuravlev's late challenge caught a Nizhny Tagil FC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Paramon Zhuravlev helped the player get up and apologised. In the 80th minute, Paramon Zhuravlev hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Gleb Kuznetsov fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 81st minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Emmanuil Peskovets having to interfere. After 87 played minutes Velikiy Novgorod FC got a freekick which was hit by Mikhail Kidyaev. Emmanuil Peskovets showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gleb Kuznetsov in the 89th minute of the match. Paramon Zhuravlev was shown his second yellow card after 89 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. Velikiy Novgorod FC were disappointed that they only managed a draw, even though they felt themselves to be the better team.