League Play-Off

Illichivsjk
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Arsen Samoilenko made the kick off which started today's match. 4 minutes into the match, Mariupul's goalkeeper Demjan Odolskyi had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Matviy Stepanyshyn. Kyrylo Cheberyachko kicked well hit freekick during the 6th minute of the match. Demjan Odolskyi was a little too slow when Lev Skybenko got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 11th minute. The score was now 1-0. 15 minutes into the match, Mariupul's goalkeeper Demjan Odolskyi had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Ostap Kordyuk. After 16 played minutes Mariupul got a freekick which was hit by Artur Pasjkiv. Demjan Odolskyi showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Lev Skybenko, who was totally free with the ball in the 20th minute. Illja Babiychuk showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Arsen Samoilenko in the 24th minute of the match. Valeriy Bal received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 26th minute. Illja Babiychuk tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Demjan Odolskyi made a fantastic save in the 29th minute, when Matviy Stepanyshyn sent off a good shot on target. After 31 minutes Mariupul's defender was forced to head the ball over the line for a corner. It was Lyubomyr Besarab who took care of the corner kick. A nice corner shot did that Lyubomyr Besarab got away a dangerous shot. Despite this Demjan Odolskyi quite easily got ahold of the ball to make the save. The supporters of Illichivsjk FC Zoria booed when Mariupul was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 32 match minutes in a wonderful position. Pavlo Maschenko didn't get a good kick on the ball. The audience thought a goal was coming when Matviy Stepanyshyn got free with Demjan Odolskyi in the 40th minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Vadym Grechanyi during the 41st minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Vadym Grechanyi hit a great freekick 41 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Valeriy Bal in the 46th minute of play forced Illichivsjk FC Zoria's goalkeeper Illja Babiychuk to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Lev Skybenko stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Arsen Samoilenko blasted a shot towards the goal in the 59th minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Illja Babiychuk having to make a save. Lev Skybenko kicked well hit freekick during the 59th minute of the match. If Valeriy Bal had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 60th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Demjan Odolskyi made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Lev Skybenko in the 64th minute of play. Mariupul's Pavlo Maschenko got his second yellow card of the match in the 75th minute. The referee ordered Pavlo Maschenko off the ground. In the 76th match minute, Mariupul was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Pavlo Maschenko to maneuver through the defense. In the 79th minute, Valeriy Bal left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The Mariupul fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-1. Demjan Odolskyi made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Matviy Stepanyshyn in the 83rd minute of play. In the 90th minute, one of Mariupul:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for Mariupul. Lev Skybenko struck a weak shot in the 99th minute. Demjan Odolskyi didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Illichivsjk FC Zoria. Mariupul's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.