Valmiera FC’s second Altero.lv LIIGA match of the season, under the guidance of head coach Gatis Kalniņš, was an away game in Jelgava against FS Jelgava’s reserve team. The final score – 3:1 – was, all things considered, a fair reflection of the chances created and the flow of the match.
The team had to manage without two key starters – striker Oskars Stupelis was still recovering from illness, and defender Rodžers Krasts picked up a groin injury. Filling in up front was veteran Niks Savaļnieks, while Krasts’ absence opened the door for midfielder Alekss Tkačenko – affectionately known within the team as Tačka – to step into the starting lineup.
It turned out to be Tačka’s day. Just 12 minutes in, he intercepted the ball with flair, glided past a defender in slalom style, and calmly outplayed the goalkeeper to slot home the opening goal in style.
The game continued to swing from end to end, but the more dangerous chances belonged to Valmiera.
The real turning point came at the start of the second half. In the 48th minute, after a free-kick rebounded out to him near the edge of the box, Tačka didn’t hesitate. From the 16-meter line, he drilled a low shot through a crowd of players and into the net – 2:0. Technique on point.
The third goal came in the 61st minute, when defender Ernests Kalniņš headed in a perfectly delivered set-piece from Ēriks Maurs-Boks, making it 3:0.
Valmiera had at least three more solid chances in the second half but couldn’t convert. The hosts managed to pull one back in the 83rd minute – Andriāns Muižnieks capitalized on a scramble in front of Haralds Kalniņš’s goal to tap it in – 3:1.
A solid start to the season: two very different wins against two very different opponents. Will the trend continue? We’ll find out in the rescheduled fixture on Monday, April 21 at 15:00 at Olaine City Stadium, where Valmiera will face JFC Viola.
