© EuroFootball.com
In the eighth round of the A League match in Klaipėda, a derby took place between two seaside teams, where "Atlantas" and "Šilutė" teams competed. The first home victory this year was won by "Atlantas".
Klaipėda "Žalgiris" Stadium, 450 spectators Referee - Viktoras Chileckis Klaipėda 2 - 1 Šilutės 35` [1 - 0] Maksim Morozov 38` [2 - 0] Donatas Navikas 90+2` [2 - 1] Mindaugas Grigalevičius
"Atlantas": Valius; Bartkus, E.Žukauskas, Sulejmanovic, Lukoševičius; Navikas (88` Petreikis, Žernys, Morozov, Gedgaudas; Karalius (76` Žvingilas), Poliakov (64` Ramonas)
"Šilutė": Kilijonas; Gaurilovas, Mockus, Juozaitis (61` Andriekus), Z. Butkus; Petrenko, Zubavičius, Mačiulis, Papečkys (76` Judickas), Gražys; Podelis (56` Grigalevičius)
Both teams started the match quite sluggishly and did not create any dangerous moments in the first minutes of the game. Later, "Atlantas" took the initiative and created several half-chances near the Šilutės goal. Forward Martynas Karalius stood out with his activity for "Atlantas".
Atlantas' attacks continued and became more dangerous, while Šilutės' players almost never visited the opponent's half. In the 35th minute of the match, after a beautiful combination on the edge, the ball was passed to Maksim Morozov who from about 16 meters with a strong strike beat Šarūnas Kilijonas, the goalkeeper of "Šilutės".
[imgcr]img/atlantas2.jpg[comment]One of the rare "Šilutės" attacks in the first half. (Photo by V. Krutulis)[/comment]After three minutes, another attack took place on the right side, where Andrius Gedgaudas played actively - he broke into the penalty area and passed the ball to D. Navikas, who only had to score into the empty goal. The result became 2-0 in favor of the hosts.
Until the end of the first half, both teams did not create anything more dangerous. At the beginning of the second half, "Atlantas" retreated to defense, while "Šilutė" started to threaten Liudvikas Valius' goal more dangerously, while the residents of Klaipėda tried to counterattack. As soon as M. Grigalevičius appeared on the field, he brilliantly broke through "Atlantas" defenders, but failed to hit the almost empty goal.
[imgcr]img/atlantas3.jpg[comment]A. Gedgaudas tearing through Šilutės' defense throughout the game.[/comment]"Atlantas" also did not stay indebted - after another breakthrough by A. Gedgaudas on the wing, M. Karalius had a great opportunity to score from about five meters, but failed to hit the ball.
As the match approached its end, "Atlantas" attacked less and less, and taking advantage of this, Šilutės scored a consolation goal in added time - after another breakthrough, M. Grigalevičius scored a goal. Just after resuming the game, the referee announced the end of the match. "Atlantas" won their first 3 points at home and moved up to 7th place, while "Šilutė" remained 9th with 2 points.
