FC Hegelmann finally returned to winning ways in the 12th round of the Lithuanian Toplyga, scoring all three goals from corner kicks in an entertaining 3-2 home victory over FK Panevežys.
The hosts came into the match on a four-game winless streak in league play, with their last victory dating back to April 4 against TransINVEST. Panevežys, meanwhile, arrived with momentum after a surprising 2-1 victory over Žalgiris Vilnius just three days earlier.
Hegelmann made the perfect start and stunned the visitors with two goals inside the opening eight minutes. The breakthrough came after a corner from Esmilis Kaušinis found Matijus Remeikis, whose finish gave the former Panevėžys academy player his first league goal in Hegelmann colours.
Only minutes later, another Kaušinis delivery from the opposite side caused chaos in the box, and Cameroonian striker Abdel Njoya reacted quickest to score his fourth goal of the season and double the lead.
After the disastrous opening spell, Panevežys gradually settled into the game and began dominating possession. However, despite controlling the ball, clear-cut opportunities were hard to come by until the 31st minute. Strahinja Kerkez delivered a lofted ball into the penalty area, and Ukrainian forward Oleksandr Kurtsev converted from close range for his first league goal since joining Panevėžys after last season’s productive campaign with Džiugas Telšiai.
Panevežys came out aggressively in the second half searching for an equaliser and even thought they had scored from a corner, only for the referee to disallow the goal for a foul in the area.
That missed opportunity proved costly. In the 57th minute Hegelmann once again punished the visitors from a set piece. Kaušinis delivered yet another dangerous corner, and Remeikis rose highest to head home his second goal of the evening, restoring the two-goal cushion.
The visitors managed to create late drama in stoppage time when Isaac Asante’s deflected strike cut the deficit back to 3-2, but there was not enough time left for a comeback.
The result finally ended Hegelmann’s difficult run and moved them closer to Panevėžys in the standings. Hegelmann now sit eighth with 12 points, just two behind seventh-placed Panevėžys.
There will be little rest for either side. Hegelmann return to action in three days at home against FA Šiauliai, while Panevėžys face another difficult challenge a day later against reigning champions and current league leaders FK Kauno Žalgiris.
FC Hegelmann vs FK Panevežys – 3-2 (2-1)
Goals: Remeikis 6′ 57′, Njoya 8′ | Kurtsev 31′, Asante 90+2′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 32 | 9 | 23 | 27 |
| 2 |  Transinvest |
12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 22 | 12 | 10 | 21 |
| 3 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 13 | 4 | 21 |
| 4 |  FK Banga |
12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 18 |
| 5 |  FK Žalgiris |
12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 18 |
| 6 |  FK Sūduva |
12 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 17 |
| 7 |  FK Panevėžys |
12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 12 | 20 | -8 | 14 |
| 8 |  FC Hegelmann |
12 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 18 | -8 | 12 |
| 9 |  FA Šiauliai |
12 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 21 | -11 | 11 |
| 10 |  FK Riteriai |
12 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 33 | -30 | 3 |
