BATE II defeated Volna Pinsk 5:3 in the First League's regular season on Saturday, a match that unfolded with more drama than either side might have anticipated when they took the field. The result leaves the hosts still rooted in 17th place with 18 points after 23 games, while Volna remain eighth on 34 points.
The opening exchanges belonged to BATE II, who took the lead through M. Titov in the 11th minute before A. Vlasov equalised for the visitors just five minutes later. Д. Matyash restored the home side's advantage with a goal in the 35th minute, though E. Grivenev responded almost immediately to bring Volna level again by the 37th minute.
And here's the thing about the second half — it was A. Apanasevich who decided the match. The forward scored in the 47th minute, then added a second in the 48th, and completed his hat-trick in the 66th minute to put BATE II firmly in control. To be fair, Volna had been competitive enough in the first half, but the trio of goals in quick succession changed the complexion entirely.
By then, the visitors were chasing the game. I. Kuimov pulled one back in the 85th minute, and D. Nizhnik added a second in the 90th minute before completing his brace in the 90+1 minute, but those late goals could not prevent the defeat.
The statistics tell a straightforward story. Both sides finished with five corners each, with BATE II receiving one yellow card and Volna collecting four. The yellow cards came at various intervals, with J. Oreshkevich and M. Titov booked for the hosts, while A. Susha, D. Tkachik and S. Baluk joined the others for Volna.
For BATE II, this result does little to alter their fortunes. They have now lost five consecutive matches — against Smorgon, Belkarid, Minsk II, Osipovichi and Lida — and sit 16 points adrift of the eighth-placed visitors.