The green grass season for the Valmiera FC team started at Skonto Stadium. In the second meeting against Riga FC, in the first duel of the season, we managed to win, while this time it was a draw – 1:1. The game was exciting for the spectators, but this time there was a feeling that three points would belong to the guests.
The game starts immediately with a model hour of activity, running from one end of the field to the other. Lukass Vapne is a guitar string – ready to show his sound readiness. First a pass by Jeremy Porsan-Clemente, there was a shot, but it missed. Returning to the attack, Vapne’s shot goes over the goal.
An apparent turning point could have happened in the 22nd minute when the referee pulled out a red card after a tackle against Renars Varslavans. The moment of joy was quickly dashed. Andris Treimanis was invited to evaluate the episode on the screen, when the referee returned to the field, the decision was canceled – instead of a red card, a yellow one.
Gauthier Mankenda was covered at most points of the game, unfortunately, he had some sudden scoring opportunities – Davis Oss showed a great game in the goal. Dangerous shot, others would say that a goal was guaranteed, but the goalkeeper hit the ball outside the penalty area with a beautiful jump. 0-0 after the first 45 minutes.
The second half started with the substitution for opponents, while Jurgis Kalns trusted the players on the field from the first minutes. Exciting football continued, unfortunately, the home team scored. A throw-in to Mankenda, who found Andris Raivis Jurkovskis on his way to the penalty area – he is completely free on the flank and accurate.
The answer was not left behind, the fight at the corner was performed by Emils Birka, the ball traveled in the penalty area and then there was a turning point. Lukas Vapne, receiving the ball, put himself in an excellent position and made it 1:1 with a beautiful shot. Hope for victory is given.
Later, the Vidzeme team took control of the ball, there were moments, of dangerous opportunities. Kristers Penkevics, coming on as a substitute, made a shot that was easy for the goalkeeper. Later, Alioune Ndoye, Andrii Korobenko, and Djibril Gueye also made their attempts, inaccurately.
Missing opportunities meant that the game ended with both teams scoring one goal each, sharing a point in the standings.
We will play our next game on Wednesday (15.05), when for the first time this season we will step on the grass of the Janis Dalins Stadium against FK Auda.
