Lahti and VPS Draw After Inter Turku Keep Top Spot in Veikkausliiga
Lahti draw 1 to 1 with VPS
Monday evening fixture completed the weekend fixtures as Lahti sought recovery from their HJK reversal in their prior outing yet this proved challenging versus VPS who advanced in standings following a sluggish beginning having collected seven points across their prior three matches.
It unfolded towards the close of the opening period when Luka Smyth secured the ball centrally in the Lahti territory and advanced into the box before guiding his second goal of the campaign into the lower corner.
Nevertheless the hosts responded swiftly within two minutes of first half stoppage time as Daniel Heikkinen attempted a strike from outside the box. The effort was stopped yet fell favourably for Cristobal Montiel who slotted home his first league goal.
VPS enjoyed a fine chance to regain advantage soon after the restart following a foul by Romaric Yapi in the box yet Smyth could not capitalise from the spot.
This was among several openings for the Australian in the latter period yet Lahti repeatedly denied him and secured the draw. They remain eighth with eight points as VPS sit two points and two places above.
SJK 1 to 3 Inter Turku
Inter Turku stay clear at the summit after back to back away successes at SJK. Alie Conteh and Johannes Yli Kokko gave them a two goal advantage inside nine minutes before Rangel squandered a penalty to reduce the margin. Clinton Jephta netted a third before the hour and Elias Mastokangas scored a late consolation for SJK who still possess a single victory this term.
HJK 2 to 2 Ilves
Ilves have just one win from seven matches after twice losing their advantage at HJK who moved up to fourth despite a solitary success in their last five. Brooklyn Lyons Foster equalised before the interval after Maksim Stjopin opened the scoring and following Stjopins second in the fifty ninth minute Mads Borchers replied seven minutes from the end. Mihailo Bogicevic received a second yellow late yet the home side could not snatch victory in added time.
Gnistan 5 to 0 Jaro
Following three successive defeats at the campaign start Gnistan now sit four matches without loss and struck form emphatically by overcoming bottom club Jaro. Adeleke Akinyemi netted the opener just before the interval yet a Michael Ogungbaro own goal triggered the collapse early in the second half. Akinyemi claimed his second before Rachide Gnanou and Joakim Latonen finished the scoring.
Mariehamn 1 to 1 KuPS
Alongside Jaro Mariehamn remain without a league victory this season yet earned a home point against KuPS to extend their unbeaten run to two matches as the champions stay third despite going four matches without a success. Joslyn Luyeye Lutumba netted for Kuopio in the thirty fifth minute shortly after entering the field yet the hosts responded seven minutes later via Anttoni Huttunen.
AC Oulu 1 to 0 TPS
AC Oulu sit second two points behind Inter Turku after returning to winning ways by defeating newly promoted TPS for the first time this season. The sole goal came approaching the hour through Rasmus Karjalainen and although Tuomas Kaukua was dismissed in added time after two cautions within three minutes the visitors could not find an equaliser.