FC Slutsk vs Molodechno-DYuSSh 4 Match Recap - Oct 19, 2025

Slutsk Salvages Crucial Point Against Molodechno in Basement Battle Drama

The mathematics of survival in Belarus's top flight are unforgiving, and FC Slutsk demonstrated precisely why desperation breeds late-match heroics. Ilya Grishchenko's 90th-minute penalty converted anxiety into relief at Stadyen Haradski, securing a 2-2 draw against Molodechno-DYuSSh 4 in a match where both teams carried the weight of relegation fears like anchors around their ankles.

For much of this Sunday afternoon encounter, Slutsk appeared headed toward squandering momentum from their midweek victory over Neman—a rare bright spot in an otherwise dismal campaign. The hosts had clawed their way back from behind once already, with Aleksandr Anufriev continuing his recent scoring form in the 69th minute to cancel out an earlier Molodechno advantage. But when Aleksandr Butko struck 10 minutes later, restoring the visitors' lead, the familiar specter of defeat loomed over the home supporters.

What unfolded in stoppage time encapsulated the fine margins separating survival from catastrophe in the Premier League's lower reaches. A Molodechno defender's handball inside the area—born perhaps from fatigue, perhaps from panic—handed Grishchenko the opportunity to rescue a point. His conversion from the spot triggered celebrations that spoke to more than just the goal itself; they reflected the fragile psychology of teams fighting to avoid the drop.

Molodechno's manager will rue those final moments, knowing his side had controlled stretches of the second half and twice held the lead. Yet for a team with just four wins from 25 matches this season, protecting advantages has proven an insurmountable challenge. Their lone draw of the campaign—prior to today—stood as testament to a binary season: they either win or, far more frequently, lose. This stalemate represents both a missed opportunity and a small mercy, preventing them from sliding further adrift.

Slutsk, meanwhile, showed character that had been conspicuously absent during their recent stretch of defeats. Before beating Neman, they had suffered through a brutal September that included shutout losses to FC Minsk (0-3), Bate Borisov (0-3), and FC Vitebsk (0-1). Those results, combined with a scoreless draw against FC Isloch, had raised serious questions about their attacking potency. Anufriev's recent scoring run—now two goals in as many matches—offers a glimmer of hope that they've found someone capable of converting pressure into points.

The standings tell a sobering story for both clubs. Slutsk sits 15th with 17 points from 25 matches, their record of 4 wins, 5 draws, and 16 losses reflecting a season spent treading water in dangerous depths. Molodechno occupies an even more precarious 16th position on 13 points, their 4-1-20 record illustrating just how difficult their campaign has been. The four-point gap between them and safety grows more meaningful with each passing week, as the calendar advances toward winter and opportunities diminish.

What made today's draw particularly valuable for Slutsk was the manner in which they earned it. Comebacks require resilience, and teams near the bottom rarely possess it in abundance. The fact that they recovered twice—first through Anufriev's equalizer, then via Grishchenko's pressure-packed penalty—suggests a squad that hasn't surrendered to its fate. That mental fortitude could prove as important as any tactical adjustment in the weeks ahead.

For Molodechno, the heartbreak of conceding late will sting, but they demonstrated competitiveness that had been missing during their 5-0 thrashing at Naftan last month or their 3-1 defeat to Dinamo Minsk in early October. Butko's goal showcased the kind of clinical finishing they'll need to replicate consistently if they harbor any hopes of avoiding relegation.

Both teams now face the harsh reality that draws—while preventing defeats—don't close gaps quickly enough when you're this deep in trouble. Slutsk needs to build on their recent two-match unbeaten streak, while Molodechno must find a way to translate competitive performances into three-point hauls. The margin between these two sides and safety isn't insurmountable, but it demands a run of form neither has shown capable of producing this season. Today's point keeps both alive, if barely breathing.