Rebel beat Athletic 2–3 in the opening match of the Druha Liga Regular Season on Sunday. The visitors came back from behind to take all three points in a game that showed their recent upward trajectory.
Athletic sat eighth on one point from two matches, while Rebel arrived seventh with three points after three outings. The result shifts Rebel to four points and keeps Athletic on one.
Rebel's recent form offered a clue to their confidence. They had beaten Chaika 2–0 and Ostrovtset 2–1 in May before falling to Kudrovka 1–2 in July. Athletic's last five games included a draw with Nyva Vinnytsia and losses to Skala 1911 Stryi and Nyva Ternopil II.
The away side found a way back into it after going behind, and the visitors saw the game out once they took the lead. Athletic were left flat-footed when Rebel turned the match around.
Rebel move to four points and sit two ahead of Athletic, who remain on one point after their second defeat. The gap between them widens as the season gets under way.