Armenia round-up: Shirak in driving seat

FC Shirak climbed to the top of the Armenian Premier League with a 4-0 victory against FC Araks by virtue of FC Kotayk's 3-0 defeat by FC Banants.

Fine start
Kotayk's first defeat of the season coincided with Vazgen Hayrapetyan's first game in charge of Banants, who were impressive throughout. Defender Karen Simonyan broke the deadlock on 33 minutes and further goals from Ara Hakobyan and Aram Hakobyan completed the scoring.

Aleksanyan double
New leaders Shirak's victory was secured by goals from Vardan Bichakhchyan, Ervand Hakobyan and Karen Aleksanyan's double, the second of which was a penalty.

Pyunik edge it
FC Pyunik, playing without defender Alu Traore and forward Mamadou Diawara, who were dismissed by the club prior to the game, nevertheless recorded a 2-1 win against FC Dinamo-2000 Yerevan. Artur Mkrtchyan's 19th-minute penalty put the reigning champions in control and Agvan Mkrtchyan doubled their lead - but Hrachya Mikaelyan's 77th-minute goal for Dinamo ensured a tense finish.

Grand Voskanyan
Elsewhere, FC MIKA beat FC Lernagorts 3-0 thanks to goals from Aram Voskanyan, Karen Egiazaryan and Grigor Mkrtchyan.

Cup ties
The weekend's two Armenian Cup semi-final first-leg encounters both ended in draws. Shirak's game with MIKA finished goalless and Pyunik shared two goals with Banants. Ararat Arakelyan gave Banants a first-minute lead but Issa Traore headed in a 55th-minute leveller.