After UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying, Gintra of Šiauliai returned to domestic action. In round 15, the champions travelled to face bottom-placed Banga of Gargždai.
Steve Beeks's side comfortably won away by 5:1 (5–1 at half-time) and remain in control of their destiny. They are still second, but only one point behind TransINVEST and with a game in hand.
Starting lineup: G. Lukjančukė (74' min. G. Vasilenko), R. Beal, A. Mikutaitė, T. Romanovskaja, L. Ribeiro (64' min. V. Igbonoba), L. Kubiliūtė (64' min. J. Blaževičiūtė), C. Caliz, L. Spenazzatto (74' min. D. Misiūnaitė), E. Šupelytė, M. Bowers, B. Taylor (74' min. U. Bujokaitė).
Goals:
Gintra: L. Ribeiro (5', 35', 45' min.) – 3, L. Spenazzatto (18' min.), M. Bowers (21' min.) one each.
Banga: V. Švarcaitė (7' min.) – 1.
The Gargždai match began with goals at both ends within seven minutes. Lidiane Ribeiro headed the visitors ahead in the fifth minute, but Viltė Švarcaitė responded two minutes later with a strong, accurate shot: 1–1.
Conceding did little to disrupt Gintra. They retained control and regained the lead through Laura Spenazzatto in the 18th minute: 2–1. Madison Bowers took her chance moments later, and L. Ribeiro completed her brace later in the half for 4–1.
Immediately before half-time, L. Ribeiro completed her hat-trick, leaving little doubt about the outcome at 5–1.
S. Beeks used every substitute in the second half. Although Gintra controlled the match and created several further chances, the final score remained the same as at half-time: 5–1.
The team's next A League match is away to FK Žalgiris of Vilnius on 21 September. Before that, the second UEFA Women's Europa Cup qualifying-round draw takes place in Switzerland on 19 September. The round will be played on 7 or 8 and 15 or 16 October.
Match highlights:
Coach's comments: