Armenia round-up: Pyunik almost there

FC Pyunik were in sparkling form as they moved to within a point of retaining the Armenian Premier League title with a 6-0 win against FC Lernagorts.

Karamyan hat-trick
Arman Karamyan was his typical prolific self, scoring a hat-trick to take his season's tally to 32 - twice as many as his nearest league rival. Vardan Minasyan, Hovhannes Antonyan and Artavazd Karamyan were the other players on target for Pyunik, who only need a draw at FC Kotayk next Monday to again become champions.

Last chance for Banants
FC Banants are the only side still with a mathematical chance of catching Pyunik, as they moved into second with a 3-2 win against FC Zvartnots AAL. Mid-table Zvarnots actually led twice in the game, but Tigran Yesayan and Hayk Hakobyan cancelled out those advantages. Yesayan's penalty two minutes from full time secured the victory.

Shirak slip
FC Shirak conceded both second place and any hope of the championship as they were held 1-1 by FC Ararat Yerevan. Ararat even led after Emanuel Ezukam's goal, but Karen Aleksanyan equalised on 59 minutes for a point which could yet prove vital in terms of UEFA Cup qualification, though Shirak held on to third spot after FC Spartak Yerevan could only draw 1-1 with FC MIKA on Monday.

Koryak off the mark
Elsewhere, Kotayk gained their first win of the season, beating bottom-placed FSC Lori 3-1 to move three points ahead of their lowly rivals, while FC Lernayin Artsakh beat FC Dinamo-2000 Yerevan 2-0 to claim ninth spot.