Šiauliai's Gintra concluded a two-match week on Saturday as the city celebrated its 790th birthday.
At home in the A League, the yellow and blacks won 2:0 (1–0 at half-time) against Kauno rajono FA, collecting another victory and moving five points clear of their nearest challengers in second place.
In their next A League match, Gintra face MFA Žalgiris-MRU of Vilnius. The game takes place on 23 September at Šiauliai Central Stadium, kicking off at 18:30. It could be a pivotal encounter in the race for a 25th championship title.
Several injured players were unavailable against the Kaunas side. Sabrina Amorim, Gracie Knutzen, Anni Hakasalo, Viktoria Lavreniuk and Agnieška Kazarina were not in the squad. Canadian Kiyani Johnson's season is already over following a serious injury.
Starting lineup: A. Herasymchuk, M. Yancey, A. Mikutaitė, T. Romanovskaja, L. Ribeiro (U. Grincevičiūtė 46'), T. Brown, L. Kubiliūtė, M. Jakubaitė (A. Šveckutė 66'), J. Blaževičiūtė (J. Dias 57'), K. Pereviznyk, E. Mideva (M. Proscevičiūtė 57').
Gintra: E. Mideva (11') and K. Pereviznyk (60'), one goal each.
The opening goal did not take long. The hosts seized the initiative from the outset and went ahead in the 11th minute when Elizabeth Mideva broke through one-on-one with the goalkeeper and finished for 1–0.
Despite the early goal, Gintra struggled to break down a packed defence in the first half. Artūr Sikorskij's team dominated possession but could not turn that advantage into further goals before the break.
The Šiauliai side scored their second after an hour, when a skilful finish doubled the advantage through leading Gintra scorer Kristina Pereviznyk: 2–0.
In the 72nd minute, Ugnė Grincevičiūtė had the chance to score from a penalty she had won herself. Her effort struck the crossbar and the score remained unchanged.
The Kaunas goalkeeper saved Tamara Brown's long-range free kick, and Julia Dias had a fine opportunity to convert the rebound. However, the Brazilian could not make clean contact and the ball did not cross the line.
Match highlights: