MOSCOW, May 12 (SW) - Russian Premier League third round of matches took place on May 11. In the showcase encounter at the Moskvich stadium in Moscow Russian International veteran Natalya Barbashina scored two goals including the 94th minute winner to give visiting defending champions Rossiyanka 3-2 victory over improving Spartak Moscow side.

The match started with furious attacks by Rossiyanka. Already in the first minute, Barbashina easily dribbled past two defenders and surprised Ukraine National Team goalkeeper Shulga with a fierce shot to open her account. To make the matters worse for the hosts, Olga Kremleva was fouled in the box to give the visitors a penalty kick on the 31st minute. League leading scorer with 6, Olga Letyushova calmly slotted home the spot kick to give Rossiyanka a commanding 2-0 lead.

Spartak did show their character though, and right from the kick-off they were able to cut the lead in half thanks to the Russian U20 International Elena Terekhova assisted by her international teammate Elena Danilova. The red and white hosts were given a penalty and a chance to equalize right before half time, but the captain Elena Fomina saw her shot saved by Zvarich.

Second half was entirely dominated by Spartak with Danilova and Terekhova being a constant threat. When Danilova's header made it 2-2 in the middle of the second period, it all looked likely that the home side would claim all three points. However, they were only left to rue their missed chances when Rossiyanka's Elena Morozova drove down the flank in the last minute of the game and crossed the ball to Barbashina who gave the champions an undeserved victory to extend their tally to 9 points after three matches. I'm very proud of my players, said Spartak general manager Oleg Makhmutov immediately after the game, the gap is constantly closing, and it won't be as easy for Rossiyanka to defend their title. I'm especially pleased for our young players, Danilova and Terekhova in particular, who had an exceptional game today and were very unlucky to be on the losing side.

In two other matches, visiting teams notched up the wins, as well, with Prialit overcoming Lada in Tolyatti 2-1, and Ryazan-VDV surprising the favorites Nadezhda in Noginsk 3-2. Ukraine International Darya Apanashchenko scored a hat-trick. Ona match (Avrora-Viktoria) was postponed.

Spartak Moscow – Rossiyanka 2-3 (1-2)

1. Natalya Barbashina 0-1, 31. Olga Letyushova (pen.) 0-2, 33. Elena Terekhova 1-2, 60. Elena Danilova 2-2, 90. Elena Morozova 2-3

Attendance: 1,200