A special celebration of women's football took place at Šiauliai Central Stadium on Wednesday, as supporters watched the Women's A League leaders, Šiauliai's Gintra and MFA Žalgiris-MRU of Vilnius, go head-to-head. 

Backed by their home supporters, the yellow and blacks won 3:1 (1–1 at half-time), beating their nearest rivals and taking a major step towards the 25th Lithuanian title in the club's history. The teams are now separated by five points, and the champions have played two games fewer. 

Everyone attending the match was treated to the chef's Ukrainian borscht and club partner Gubernija's Duonos gira kvass. 

Several players were unavailable against the Vilnius side. Sabrina Amorim, Gracie Knutzen, Viktoria Lavreniuk and Agnieška Kazarina were not in the squad, while Justina Blaževičiūtė was suspended after accumulating yellow cards. Canadian Kiyani Johnson's season is already over following a serious injury. 

Starting lineup:  A. Herasymchuk, M. Yancey, A. Mikutaitė, T. Romanovskaja, L. Ribeiro (J. Dias 82'), T. Brown, L. Kubiliūtė, M. Jakubaitė (A. Šveckutė 82'), K. Pereviznyk, E. Mideva (U. Grincevičiūtė 79'), M. Proscevičiūtė (A. Hakasalo 79').

Gintra: E. Mideva (45', 52'), two; K. Pereviznyk (70'), one.

MFA Žalgiris-MRU: M. Ivanciūtė (10'), one.

The hosts had a chance to take the lead right at the start. Meida Proscevičiūtė beat her opponents and had an excellent opportunity, but the goalkeeper saved her shot.

Žalgiris immediately launched an attack of their own, which ended with Alexandra Madden scoring against Gintra for 0–1.

Artūr Sikorskij's team had an opportunity to level almost immediately, but Kristina Pereviznyk's shot went just wide of the post.

The Šiauliai side had another fine chance in the 30th minute. Elizabeth Mideva went one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but her shot hit the post. Moments later, E. Mideva had another chance to equalise, yet again could not find the net.

The yellow and blacks started the second half with greater energy and soon moved ahead. E. Mideva, a dominant presence in attack, cut through the entire defence, completed her brace and put Gintra 2–1 up.

The visitors could have equalised in the 56th minute, when Ana Cheminava fired a dangerous shot over the crossbar.

The woodwork rescued Žalgiris once more as Marija Galkina Jakubaitė's long-range effort struck the crossbar.

In the 70th minute, however, Gintra scored again to extend their lead. Kristina Pereviznyk's corner went straight in for 3–1.

Neither side scored again. The hosts remained the more threatening team until the closing minutes and earned a deserved victory.

Match highlights: 

Coaches' reaction: