Match report: Likani Borjomi 0-2 FC Lineuper

FC Lineuper moved to the top of the table with a disciplined 2-0 win away to Likani Borjomi on Sunday. Goals from Luka Beridze and captain Giorgi Maisuradze, plus a commanding display from goalkeeper Nika Tsereteli, secured a fourth consecutive league victory.

A patient first half

Likani set up in a deep block on a heavy pitch, and Lineuper needed patience to unlock them. The breakthrough came on 41 minutes, when Maisuradze threaded a pass between two defenders and Beridze, running onto it, chipped the advancing goalkeeper from 12 metres.

Tsereteli takes over

Likani pushed forward after the break and forced the visitors to defend. Tsereteli made three saves in 10 minutes, the best of them a one-handed stop from a header on the hour mark. "He is the best goalkeeper in the league when we need him," said head coach Levan Kapanadze.

The second goal came on 83 minutes as Maisuradze collected the ball on the edge of the area, swayed past a defender and curled a shot into the top corner. It was his 100th goal for the club, and the away end, packed with 600 Lineuper supporters, went wild.

Scorers and facts

• Beridze 41'
• Maisuradze 83' (the captain's 100th club goal)
• Possession: Lineuper 58 per cent, Likani 42 per cent
• Shots on target: Lineuper 7, Likani 4

One hundred goals for this club is something I could not have imagined as a boy. But the best part is who was behind the goal singing.

Next up

Lineuper return to Lineuper Arena for the cup tie against Tergi Stepantsminda, with the league leaders' trip to Supsa Lanchkhuti to follow.