League Play-Off

Stadion Zheleznodoro
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Gennadiy Nelepin kicked off to start the match. Filimon Shehtel charged in rather forcefully in the 3rd minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Filimon Shehtel the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. The supporters of Zheleznodorozhny HC booed when Volzhsky FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 3 match minutes in a wonderful position. Filimon Shehtel didn't get a good kick on the ball. Kirill Pestov struck a weak shot in the 4th minute. Nikolay Alikaev didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Zheleznodorozhny HC. In the 7th minute Gennadiy Nelepin shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Efim Alekseev saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Gennadiy Nelepin in the 9th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Efim Alekseev prevented the ball from getting in the gole. The supporters of Volzhsky FC booed when Zheleznodorozhny HC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 10 match minutes in a wonderful position. Fedot Kondratiev didn't get a good kick on the ball. Nikolay Alikaev showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Aleksandr Zhukov, who was totally free with the ball in the 18th minute. Nikolay Alikaev showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Aleksandr Zhukov in the 19th minute of the match. 20 minutes into the game, one of Volzhsky FC:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Vasiliy Chepikov kicked well hit freekick during the 25th minute of the match. 31 minutes into the game, Volzhsky FC's Gennadiy Nelepin nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Efim Alekseev made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. Efim Alekseev showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Gennadiy Nelepin in the 35th minute of the match. Aleksandr Zhukov sent away a hard shot on goal in the 42nd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Aleksandr Zhukov fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 44th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Nikolay Alikaev having to interfere. Nikolay Alikaev took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Aleksandr Zhukov, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 1-1 after a close first half.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Aleksandr Zhukov made a kick off. Daniil Pakulin kicked well hit freekick during the 53rd minute of the match. Aleksandr Zhukov succeeded in the game's 59th minute to shoot an unreachable shot under the crossbar and scored - 2-1. Gennadiy Nelepin charged in rather forcefully in the 66th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Gennadiy Nelepin the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Aleksandr Zhukov took the ball and in the 69 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Nikolay Alikaev. Nikolay Alikaev dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 3-1. Efim Alekseev made an important save on a dangerous shot by Kirill Chesnok in the 76th minute. Kirill Pestov received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 83rd minute. Nikolay Alikaev tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. If Gennadiy Nelepin had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 86th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After a rather tough play, Zheleznodorozhny HC's Daniil Pakulin got a free kick in the 87th minute. In the 90th minute of the match Volzhsky FC got a corner. Zheleznodorozhny HC's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Eldar Nazarov ran over to the corner to take the kick. 93 minutes had been played when some careless play by Zheleznodorozhny HC's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Eldar Nazarov was slow to take the kick. During this time Volzhsky FC's players had a chance to rest. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Zheleznodorozhny HC had won after a very even match.