Belarus round-up: Successful trip for Gomel

FC Gomel recorded a 4-1 away victory against FC Neman Grodno to stay on top of the Belarus league.

Consolation effort
Despite losing the Grodno side did, however, become the first team this season to score a goal against Gomel, with Eduard Boltrushevich hitting the net in the final minute of the match. However it was a mere consolation effort after strikes from Maxim Razumov, Dmitri Karsakov, Anton Ivanov and Gennadiy Blizniuk secured an eighth win in 12 games this season for the leaders.

Torpedo in pursuit
FC Torpedo-SKA Minsk remain in hot pursuit a point behind leaders Gomel after working hard to earn a 2-1 win against FC Molodechno 2000, who took a surprise lead after 48 minutes thanks to Vitaliy Makritskiy's well-placed shot. However Andrei Razin pulled Torpedo back on level terms with 20 minutes to go, and Sergei Kozak took advantage of a mistake from goalkeeper Sergei Mikhailov three minutes before full time to make it 2-1.

Dinamo draw
FC Dinamo Minsk drew 2-2 with FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk. Anatoly Tikhonchik put Soligorsk in front, but Sergei Kornilenko responded for the hosts before half-time. Dinamo moved in front after 52 minutes through Maxim Tsygalko but Vadim Skripcheko's 25-metre blaster secured a share of the spoils and put an end to Dinamo's five-match winning run. "You can't win all the time," reflected Dinamo's philosophical coach Anatoliy Baidachny after the game.

BATE comeback
Defending champions FC BATE Borisov also had to be content with a draw, as they were held 3-3 by FC Transmash Mogilev. BATE were shocked to find themselves three goals down after just 18th minutes, but then mounted a fine comeback. Goals from Igor Chumachenko, Pavel Begansky and Dmitri Likhtarovich earned a draw for the champions.

Unfortunate debut
Liudas Rumbutis had an unfortunate debut in charge of FC Belshina Bobruisk as his new side lost 3-2 against FC Slavia Mozyr, despite leading twice. Elsewhere, FC Torpedo Zhodino beat FC Naftan Novopolotsk 3-0, while FC Lokomotiv Minsk beat FC Zvezda-VA-BGU Minsk 2-1 and FC Dinamo Brest edged past FC Darida Zhdanovichi 1-0.