League

Tikkakoski
Spectators: 6227 (Terracing: 4997, Seating: 1212, VIP seats: 18) Parpola's Jarmo Kokko started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. After some fancy dribbling in the 2nd minute, Sulevi Saastamoinen managed to get in a good position for a shot. Ajax's supporters rose to their feet, but Sulevi Saastamoinen was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Raimo Sulku breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Jarmo Kokko fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 5th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Lauri Markkanen having to interfere. Thanks to some nice foot action and superb ball handling Jesse Salermo in the 8th minute a chance for a shot on goal. With an extended leg and a bit of luck Lauri Markkanen prevented the ball from getting in the gole. If Jarmo Kokko had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 9th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. 12 minutes into the match, Ajax's goal looked a bit too open when Jarmo Kokko came free, but Lauri Markkanen reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 13th minute, Jesse Salermo made a precise shot to the right of Lauri Markkanen. Ajax's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 0-1. Ajax's Lauri Markkanen played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Jarmo Kokko in the 20th minute of play. Jarmo Kokko sent away a hard shot on goal in the 21st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Lauri Markkanen took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jesse Salermo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 38th minute, Kasperi Elomo hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. The supporters of Parpola booed when Ajax was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 43 match minutes in a wonderful position. Niko Lehto didn't get a good kick on the ball. Lauri Markkanen stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Jarmo Kokko's shot from short distance in the 44th minute. Even after changing tactics the home team jogged off the field with a 0-1 deficit. They would have to work harder if they wanted to turn things around in the second half.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Niko Lehto stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. In the 51st minute, Jarmo Kokko got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Jesse Salermo struck a weak shot in the 55th minute. Lauri Markkanen didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Parpola. Niko Lehto's late challenge caught a Parpola's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Niko Lehto helped the player get up and apologised. In the 59th minute, Niko Lehto hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 64 minutes into the match, Parpola's Jarmo Kokko sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Lauri Markkanen narrowly saved just below the crossbar. Rami Hati hit a great freekick 64 minutes into the match. Jesse Salermo received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 75th minute. Lauri Markkanen tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 77th minute, Jesse Salermo fired away a shot on goal. He put a little to much spin on the ball and sent it just wide of the right post. Jarmo Kokko's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Lauri Markkanen read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 78th minute of play. Parpola's Jesse Salermo got a good chance for a goal in the 80th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Jarmo Kokko sent away a hard shot on goal in the 82nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 91 minutes in the game, Jarmo Kokko fired away an excellent shot, which passed to the side of the right post without Lauri Markkanen having to interfere. Niko Lehto got his second yellow card in the match during the 95th minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. Parpola's Herman Uotila shoveled away a really nice long shot in the 97th minute of play. The shot was stopped by Lauri Markkanen but with some difficulty. When the final whistle was heard the away supporters stood up and showed their joy. Parpola had managed to secure a win in what was a close match throughout.