UAF created the Commission for History and Statistics
Second League. Currently the most effective in the transfer market are "Kulykiv-Bilka" and "Chernihiv"
Preparations for the spring portion of the season for teams in the third-ranked domestic division are gradually picking up pace.
Uzhhorod beat first-league Metalist 3:1 in a friendly match. Photo by FC Uzhhorod
So far, the most active team on the transfer market is «Kulikiv-Bilka». Perhaps, the club's management believes that qualified winter newcomers will help to improve the performance from last autumn. However, they expected a more confident performance from debutants of the second league who do not hide their desire to immediately rise in class.
Interestingly, head coach Bogdan Kostik focused on inviting players who previously played in the UPL and first league during his recruitment efforts. This includes Oleksandr Dudarenko from «Left Bank», Mykola Kvasko, Danylo Volkov from «Agrobusiness», Dmytro Pentelichuk from «Mariupol», Vitaliy Raulik from «Epizentru» and Oleh Kosa from «Prykarpattia».
However, the Galicians have a serious loss — main striker Mykyta Sharakura decided to continue his career with FC «Probiy», which is heading for the top group. The Horodok team also signed Yevhen Daniiluk from «Rever 1908» and Vladyslav Babanin from «Prykarpattia».
Another contender for a place in the first league, «Ruh-2», relies only on players who are already under contract. Lviv residents have been participating in the Ernest Jus Memorial and conducting friendlies these days: they drew with «Metalist»—0:0, lost to «Polesia-2»—0:2, next up is a match against «Bukovyna». Due to groin injury for two months, striker Serhiy Panchenko is out of action, while Milan Mihalchuk will continue to defend the colors of Ternopil's «Niva».
Serious personnel losses were suffered by «Polesia-2», three representatives of which have been promoted: Dmytro Shastal is already scoring for «Left Bank», Kristian Svystun debuted with «Inhulets», and Bohdan Panchyshyn is trying his luck in «Chornomorets».
Meanwhile, «Chernihiv» has decided to rely on experience. Three players were invited from «Dinaz»—Yegor Kartushov, Dmytro Kulyk and Andriy Novikov, which will allow them to quickly integrate into the ensemble of «mistoans». Yegor Shalfeyev previously played for «Minay, while Dmytro Fatiyev — for «Mariupol». With such reinforcements, «Chernihiv» is simply obliged to play better than in the first half of the season.
As for the friendly matches played, Valeriy Chornyy's wards drew 1:1 with both top league teams «Epizentru» and FC «YUKSA».
