Epitsentr Dnistrovskyi booked their place in the next round of the Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Carbon in the Round of 32 on Tuesday. The visitors made it three points from three in their recent form, though they arrived after a goalless draw with Bukovyna on Saturday. Carbon, meanwhile, had won their last outing 1-0 against Lozovaia but were unable to match the visitors' composure. and here's the thing — it was A. Kozak who set the tone early.
Kozak opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, giving Epitsentr the lead they would never relinquish. Carbon responded with a double substitution at the break, bringing on D. Matsyuta and V. Chornyi in an attempt to shift momentum. By then, the visitors had already settled into a rhythm that Carbon could not disrupt. V. Garnaga picked up a yellow card in the 47th minute as the hosts grew increasingly desperate.
The second half saw Carbon make further changes, with A. Lipovuz, M. Yevpak and I. Bendera coming off together in the 59th minute. They also introduced A. Boyko and a pair of others in the 60th and 62nd minutes. to be fair, the home side pushed forward but found themselves exposed on the counter. Kozak doubled his tally in the 72nd minute, effectively sealing the tie.
Carbon continued to search for a way back in, adding D. Vashchenko and S. Dedov in the 76th and 77th minutes. M. Gratsiyan had been booked in the 51st minute, adding to the growing list of cautions. The visitors held their nerve, absorbing pressure while looking dangerous on the break. A third goal arrived in stoppage time at 90+2, confirming the visitors' superiority.
Epitsentr now advance in the Cup, extending a run that includes a 3-0 win over Kudrovka last month. Carbon's recent results show inconsistency — a 5-3 victory over Rebel alongside defeats to Pokuttia and Penuel. The hosts had not lost by this margin since their 0-1 defeat to Pokuttia on August 23. by then, the outcome was clear for those watching beyond the scoreboard.
