Chernihiv overturned a first-half deficit to beat LSTM Lutsk 2:1 in the Round of 64 of the Cup on Saturday. The visitors took the lead after I. Bandura struck for the hosts in the twelfth minute, but two second-half responses from Y. Shalfeev and S. Galoyan turned the tie on its head. The result sends Chernihiv through to the next round.
Bandura broke the deadlock early, catching Lutsk off guard in the opening exchanges. By then the hosts had settled into their rhythm and seemed content to take the half with a slender advantage. The goal came from a well-worked move, though the exact build-up was not recorded.
And here's the thing — the momentum shifted sharply after the break. Shalfeev equalised in the fifty-fourth minute, catching Lutsk napping on a counter. Galoyan added the winner nine minutes later, finishing from close range after a loose ball in the box. The visitors had weathered the storm and found a way through when it mattered.
Chernihiv arrived in Lutsk carrying a run of four consecutive draws and a single defeat from their last five outings. They had not travelled to make up the numbers, and their recent results suggested a side that could grind out results even against better opposition. The comeback was not unexpected given their resilience on the road.
The Cup Round of 64 is where form often meets fate, and Chernihiv took their chances. Lutsk will need to regroup quickly — a home game in the Cup ends there, and the disappointment will sit heavy. The visitors now advance, having proven they can respond under pressure.