League Play-Off

Ensa Arena
Spectators: 35 (Terracing: 27, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Reima Vähä made the kick off which started today's match. In the 8th minute, Jari Karjalainen left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The FC EnsaAcademy fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 1-0. Jari Karjalainen in the 18thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Jorma Kotilahti, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. After a defensive mix-up in Pitkäkangas's zone, Jari Karjalainen stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jorma Kotilahti came out of the goal and Jari Karjalainen tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Jari Karjalainen fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 22nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Jorma Kotilahti having to interfere. Pitkäkangas's Jorma Kotilahti played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Reima Vähä in the 27th minute of play. Jorma Kotilahti made a fantastic save in the 31st minute, when Jari Karjalainen sent off a good shot on target. Jari Karjalainen received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 35th minute. Jorma Kotilahti tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The supporters of FC EnsaAcademy booed when Pitkäkangas was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 36 match minutes in a wonderful position. Jaakko Kahra didn't get a good kick on the ball. Jari Karjalainens short, quick shot in the 40thth minute got Jorma Kotilahti to make great effort and bar the ball away from getting in. Reima Vähä received a nice pass, split the defenders, and ran untouched towards the goal. Jorma Kotilahti came out and tried to block the shot, but Reima Vähä slotted it home off the left post making it 3-0 in the 41st minute. 45 minutes into the match, Pitkäkangas's goal looked a bit too open when Juhani Laulaja came free, but Jorma Kotilahti reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Eetu Savijoki to strike the kick off in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Reima Vähä ran past the defenders and hit a shot which went straight ahead into goal. Jorma Kotilahti was frozen by the shot and now it was 4-0. In the 62nd match minute, Pitkäkangas was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Aappo Ojala to maneuver through the defense. Jorma Kotilahti showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Reima Vähä, who was totally free with the ball in the 64th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Reima Vähä in the 67th minute of play forced Pitkäkangas's goalkeeper Jorma Kotilahti to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After a rather tough play, Pitkäkangas's Juhani Nummelin got a free kick in the 68th minute. After having played for 70 minutes, Jari Karjalainen managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. FC EnsaAcademy's supporters crossed their fingers, but Jari Karjalainen was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 72nd match minute, FC EnsaAcademy was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Reima Vähä to maneuver through the defense. With an all-out effort, Pitkäkangas's Kai Lehtimäki threw himself towards the right post 75 minutes into the match and grabbed hold of the ball from Eetu Savijoki, which otherwise would have been placed in the net. Reima Vähä received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 76th minute. Jorma Kotilahti tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Aappo Ojala sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 86 minutes into the match, Pitkäkangas's goal looked a bit too open when Reima Vähä came free, but Jorma Kotilahti reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After a defensive mix-up in Pitkäkangas's zone, Reima Vähä stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Jorma Kotilahti came out of the goal and Reima Vähä tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. In the 96th minute, FC EnsaAcademy's goalie took a deep sigh of relief after Aappo Ojala fired away a hard shot that went just outside the left post. FC EnsaAcademy's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.