League Play-Off

Niemi
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Veikka Nurmi started the match with the kick off. Kristian Alin scored 0-1 in the 4th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Leo Reponen, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. When Mämmenkylä IFK's Kristian Alin in the 10th minute got a chance for a shot 10th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Niemi FC's goalie prevented a goal. Juha-Pekka Esala made an important save on a dangerous shot by Aukusti Markkanen in the 17th minute. If Veikka Nurmi had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 19th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Veikka Nurmi received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 22nd minute. Juha-Pekka Esala tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Juha-Pekka Esala made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Veikka Nurmi in the 32nd minute of play. With a little luck, Mämmenkylä IFK's Juha-Pekka Esala got control of the ball when Aukusti Markkanen tried to sneak it across the goal line. 36 minutes into the match, Veikka Nurmi dribbled the ball past the defender and swiftly kicked the ball to the left of Juha-Pekka Esala, 1-1. After some careless play in the Mämmenkylä IFK defense, Aukusti Markkanen kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Juha-Pekka Esala. The Mämmenkylä IFK fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Juha-Pekka Esala should have stopped the shot. Kristian Alin fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 47th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Leo Reponen having to interfere. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

Juha-Pekka Esala showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Veikka Nurmi, who was totally free with the ball in the 53rd minute. 54 minutes into the match, Niemi FC's Veikka Nurmi sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Juha-Pekka Esala narrowly saved just below the crossbar. After 55 played minutes Mämmenkylä IFK got a freekick which was hit by Jani Rantanen. Eino Tervo's shot from long distance was a real pearl which went to the right and just passed Juha-Pekka Esala - 4-1 was put on the score board in the 57th minute. 60 minutes into the match, Mämmenkylä IFK's goal looked a bit too open when Aukusti Markkanen came free, but Juha-Pekka Esala reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Saul Myllykoski during the 62nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 62nd match minute, Mämmenkylä IFK was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Saul Myllykoski to maneuver through the defense. Veikka Nurmi received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 64th minute. Juha-Pekka Esala tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Aukusti Markkanen received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 66th minute. Juha-Pekka Esala tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. When Severi Hakamäki came up free with the goalie in the 70th minute, the Niemi FC fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Severi Hakamäki couldn't finish the play. Veikka Nurmi received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 78th minute. Juha-Pekka Esala tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Topias Meriläinen sent away a hard shot on goal in the 86th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Aukusti Markkanen fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 89th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Juha-Pekka Esala having to interfere. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Kristian Alin in the 93rd managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Leo Reponen saved Niemi FC from getting behind. Juha-Pekka Esala showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Veikka Nurmi in the 95th minute of the match. 97 minutes into the game, Niemi FC's Aukusti Markkanen nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Juha-Pekka Esala made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 6-1. Niemi FC's supporters were delighted with their team's performance and swarmed onto the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate the victory with the players.