Match Report
Zhemchuzhina Sochi, 9th with 54 points, sat 27 points above Avangard Kursk (20th, 27). Avangard Kursk's recent output outran their position: 13th on form over five rounds, 20th in the table. Against a league average of 1.13 goals per team per game, Zhemchuzhina Sochi ran at 1.16 scored and 1.16 conceded, Avangard Kursk at 0.81 and 1.68.
Avangard Kursk had gone 6 games without a win. Zhemchuzhina Sochi had banked 8 of the last 15 points on offer; Avangard Kursk, 1.
Stadion FGUP Yugsport in Sochi staged the fixture, a ground that holds 21,107. On the scoreboard, Zhemchuzhina Sochi led 2-0 at the break; 3 second-half goals set the final 3-2.