League Play-Off

Niemi
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Aukusti Markkanen came free with the goalkeeper in the 3rd minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Timo Palander could save by the left post. Leo Reponen showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Heimo Vanhatalo in the 4th minute of the match. Sakari Lahti's late challenge caught a FC Tampere's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Sakari Lahti helped the player get up and apologised. FC Tampere's Heimo Vanhatalo got a good chance for a goal in the 8th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 12th minute, Niemi FC's Veikka Nurmi ran free of his marker and smoothly shot the ball into the goal behind Timo Palander. Timo Palander yelled at his defense, as they had left him out to dry. 1-0. Timo Palander took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Veikka Nurmi, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Veikka Nurmi's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 16thth minute, Timo Palander skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. During the 22nd minute of the match Sakari Lahti completely mistimed his tackle and brought down his opponent. The referee gave Sakari Lahti a yellow card, his second in the match, which meant he could no longer take part in the game. In the 23rd minute, Sakari Lahti hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 26 minutes into the match, FC Tampere's Heimo Vanhatalo sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Leo Reponen narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After 28 played minutes FC Tampere got a freekick which was hit by Benjamin Pihlanen. Silvo Kuivalainen charged in rather forcefully in the 34th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Silvo Kuivalainen the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. After 34 played minutes Niemi FC got a freekick which was hit by Silvo Kuivalainen. In the 39th match minute, FC Tampere was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Benjamin Pihlanen to maneuver through the defense. The audience thought a goal was coming when Veikka Nurmi got free with Timo Palander in the 41st minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. A collision led to Niemi FC getting a freekick after 46 minutes play. Veikka Nurmi hit a great ball. The score stood at 1-1 when the half time whistle went. Both sets of players seemed reasonably pleased with how the match was going.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Heimo Vanhatalo to make the kick off. Leo Reponen took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Heimo Vanhatalo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Timo Palander made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Veikka Nurmi in the 60th minute of play. The supporters of FC Tampere booed when Niemi FC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 62 match minutes in a wonderful position. Severi Hakamäki didn't get a good kick on the ball. Leo Reponen took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Heimo Vanhatalo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 66th minute, Severi Hakamäki hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Aukusti Markkanen received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 71st minute. Timo Palander tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Erno Lumijärvi kicked well hit freekick during the 72nd minute of the match. Aukusti Markkanen received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 74th minute. Timo Palander tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Leo Reponen took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Heimo Vanhatalo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 79 minutes into the match, Severi Hakamäki notched a goal, 2-1, to the right of FC Tampere's Timo Palander. Timo Palander was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. 87 minutes into the game, Heimo Vanhatalo recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Leo Reponen. Heimo Vanhatalo showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 2-2. After 90 minutes of play, FC Tampere's Vesa Ruohiainen made it 2-3 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Leo Reponen was left in no man's land by his defense there! The Niemi FC supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching FC Tampere's performance. The match ended with a win for FC Tampere.