Leader duel: Kauno Žalgiris beat FC Hegelmann to go six points clear

FK Kauno Žalgiris strengthened their grip on the A Lyga title race, coming from behind to edge FC Hegelmann 2-1 in a rescheduled Round 20 clash, sealed by Fedor Černych’s strike in the 68th minute.

The first half offered few clear chances, though just before the half-hour mark Eduardas Jurjonas found Gratas Sirgėdas inside the box, but his effort went narrowly wide.

The second half brought the action to life. Shortly after the restart, Leo Ribeiro delivered a corner, sparking a scramble in the area. Donatas Kazlauskas reacted quickest, slotting the loose ball into the net for 1-0. Within minutes, Kauno Žalgiris replied: Jurjonas, falling to the ground, managed to assist Amine Benchaib, who finished calmly into the far corner to level the score.

Later on Georgian winger Temur Chogadze came close with a spinning effort that flew just wide. Moments later, Vincentas Šarkauskas denied another powerful attempt from the Georgian, but this time the rebound fell kindly for Fedor Černych, who tucked it home to give Žalgiris the lead.

With the win in this postponed fixture, Kauno Žalgiris extended their advantage at the top of the A Lyga table. The green-and-whites now hold 56 points and sit six clear of Hegelmann, with a game still in hand.

FK Kauno Žalgiris vs FC Hegelmann – 2:1 (0:0)
Goals: Benchaib 51′, Černych 68′ | Kazlauskas 49′
KAU: Švedkauskas, Edokpolor, Tolordava, Hernandez, Jurjonas, Sirgedas (Naah 86′), Pavlovic, Chogadze (Armanavičius 90+1′), Benchaib, Černych (Paulauskas 76′), Georgijevic (Jansonas 86′)
HEG: Šarkauskas, Upstas, Armalas, Isaac, Radinovic (Kaušinis 83′), Harouna, Antanavičius, Popescu (Duke 70′), Leo Ribeiro, Kazlauskas (Shchedryi 79′), Njoya (Yusuf 83′)

#	Club	GP	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Kauno Žalgiris	35	22	8	5	41	74
2	Hegelmann FC	35	20	4	11	12	64
3	FK Žalgiris	35	17	11	7	15	62
4	FK Sūduva	35	15	14	6	13	59
5	FA Šiauliai	35	14	9	12	6	51
6	FK Panevėžys	35	13	7	15	5	46
7	FC Džiugas Telšiai	35	13	6	16	-8	45
8	FK Banga Gargždai	35	11	8	16	2	41
9	FK Riteriai	35	6	7	22	-37	25
10	DFK Dainava Alytus	35	3	8	24	-49	17