In Round 7 of the LVBET League, Valmiera FC hosted JDFS Alberts on the perfectly prepared natural grass pitch of Jānis Daliņš Stadium. Both teams — and the fans in attendance — enjoyed football in conditions truly worthy of the sport. Yet when the final whistle blew, neither side walked away fully satisfied.
This season, Valmiera FC is the only club in the league playing its home matches on natural grass — a reflection of Latvian football realities, where there are plenty of players but mostly artificial pitches of varying quality. Because of that, every away team visiting Valmiera gets a rare opportunity to enjoy the game in ideal football conditions.
Artūrs Zakreševskis’s Alberts side clearly arrived determined to make the most of it, and judging by their intensity, fighting spirit, and energy throughout the match, they certainly did.
Meanwhile, Valmiera had already spent a week training on natural grass at the club’s base and seemed likely to have an advantage. But honestly, once the match started, it was impossible to tell which team was supposedly more comfortable in these conditions.
All six of Valmiera’s previous wins this season had come through hard battles, and this match proved no different. Last season’s runners-up showed no fear against the current league leaders, taking initiative and matching Valmiera stride for stride in front of a loud home crowd.
By now, fans have almost become used to expecting a Valmiera goal around the 50th minute — and once again it arrived. After a free kick from Fraj Kairmani, the ball reached Mahmadou Dembele at the far post, and the team’s top scorer delivered once more, netting his fifth goal of the season.
But extending the lead never came easily. Valmiera spent long stretches defending, while Alberts looked increasingly motivated to equalize. The home side, by contrast, seemed more focused on protecting the lead than adding another goal.
Then came the shock. Just minutes before full time, Alberts found their equalizer and made it 1–1. Valmiera threw everything forward in the closing moments, but none of the attacks produced a winner.
The six-match winning streak had come to an end. Still, for those looking at the bright side, another streak continues — Valmiera FC remains unbeaten this season. Even so, for many of the home players, this draw felt very much like two points lost.
The fixture calendar now means Valmiera FC will not play another home league match until July 5, when they host Leevon PPK. However, there is still a chance that a Latvian Cup fixture could be played at home before then.
Next up, Valmiera travels to face Riga Mariners this Saturday at 16:00 at Mežaparks SV.
See you at the match!
