In round 25 of the Toplyga, Banga Gargždai produced an impressive display despite playing more than half the match with ten men, defeating FA Šiauliai 3-1 away from home to move just two points away from league leaders TransINVEST.
The visitors thought they had taken an early lead in the 14th minute when the ball found the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out after the ball had crossed the byline before Aaron Olugbogi delivered his dangerous cross into the penalty area.
Banga continued to threaten and came close again midway through the first half. Another dangerous delivery from Olugbogi caused problems in the Šiauliai defence before Rokas Filipavičius saw his effort blocked.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 27th minute when Banga were awarded a penalty. Goalkeeper Gustas Baliutavičius saved Olugbogi’s initial spot-kick, but the Nigerian reacted quickest to convert the rebound and put the visitors ahead.
The closing stages of the first half were packed with drama. Banga defender Cadu Pires was sent off after receiving his second yellow card, giving the hosts a numerical advantage. Šiauliai quickly made it count as Daniel Romanovskij equalised in the 44th minute after reacting first to a loose ball.
However, Banga regained the lead in first-half stoppage time. Following a set-piece, Deividas Malžinskas rose highest to head home and restore the visitors’ advantage before the break.
Šiauliai’s hopes of turning the match around suffered another setback early in the second half when Ignas Venckus found the net, only for VAR to disallow the goal for offside.
The result was finally put beyond doubt in stoppage time. After winning possession, Sidas Praleika unleashed a stunning long-range strike that flew past Baliutavičius to seal a 3-1 victory for the ten-man visitors.
The win lifts Banga onto 33 points, drawing level with Sūduva and just two points behind leaders TransINVEST in the standings. FA Šiauliai remain bottom of the TOPlyga table with 13 points.
FA Šiauliai vs FK Banga Gargždai – 1-3 (1-2)
Goals: Romanovskij 42′ | Olugbogi 27′, Malžinskas 45+4′, Praleika 90+1′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Transinvest |
22 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 32 | 29 | 3 | 35 |
| 2 |  Kauno Žalgiris |
20 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 38 | 15 | 23 | 34 |
| 3 |  FK Žalgiris |
21 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 33 | 24 | 9 | 34 |
| 4 |  Džiugas Telšiai |
22 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 30 | 24 | 6 | 34 |
| 5 |  FK Sūduva |
20 | 8 | 9 | 3 | 26 | 17 | 9 | 33 |
| 6 |  FK Banga |
21 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 25 | 16 | 9 | 33 |
| 7 |  FC Hegelmann |
23 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 26 | 39 | -13 | 22 |
| 8 |  FK Panevėžys |
21 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 19 | 38 | -19 | 20 |
| 9 |  FA Šiauliai |
22 | 2 | 7 | 13 | 19 | 46 | -27 | 13 |
