FK Tukums 2000 1-7 Rigas Futbola Skola ( att : 402 ) – 2023 Latvia Virsliga

May 9, 2023

These diaries reviewed the 2020 Latvia Virsliga season back in December 2020 so a return visit was long overdue. Riga FC won the 2020 title, their third in a row, finishing three points ahead of Rigas Futbola Skola ( RFS ). Tukums finished last of the 10 sides in the league, and as the town was a comparable size to Gorodeya in Belarus, they were dubbed a “Gubbins Village Outfit” by one contributor to the Belarus forums at the time. It is 65km west of the capital Riga and has a population of 16,000.

In addition to the relegation of Tukums, FK Jelgava did not receive a licence for the 2021 season, and with only Noah Jurmela promoted, the 2021 league started with just 9 teams. It got worse as Noah and FK Ventspils both withdrew during the season with financial problems, leaving just 7 sides to complete the season, as RFS won their first ever title, and Riga FC finished a distant 4^th behind Valmiera FC and FK Liepaja.

For the 2022 season, three sides were promoted to restore the league to 10 sides, namely FK Auda, SK Super Nova and FK Tukums 2000. The league saw another first-time title winner as Valmiera finished as champions, ahead of Riga FC and RFS. Tukums ended in 6^th place, their highest ever placing in the Latvian top flight.

For this season, FS Jelgava were promoted but Spartaks Jurmela did not receive a licence so bottom placed SK Super Nova were reprieved from relegation. Also, VAR has been introduced to the Virsliga for the first time this season.

Tukums went into today’s match in 8^th place in the table with a 2-2-6 record, two points ahead of the bottom two sides, and were unbeaten in their last three matches – FK Auda ( A 3-0 ), Jelgava ( H 2-2 ) & BFC Daugavpils ( A 3-3 ). Lithuanian striker Fautas Steponavicius, who is on loan from RFS, had 5 goals to his name whilst Raivis Kirss, on loan from FK Auda, had scored three times. Keeper Sergejs Vilkovs is another player on loan from RFS but the loanees from RFS were not permitted to play against their parent club today. Midfielder Ingars Stuglis has one cap and Nikita Kholodov is Moldovan and previously played for Floresti in his home country.

As their full name suggests RFS originally started as a football academy and have worked their way up the leagues to become one of the leading sides in the country. In 2022 they moved from the 1,000 capacity NSB Arkadija stadium to the newly-built LNK Sporta Parks, which has 2,300 seats.

RFS started the day in second place in the Virsliga but unbeaten with a 6-4-0 record. They were 7 points behind Riga FC but with a game in hand. Their away record was 2-4-0 with wins at Jelgava ( 2-0 ) and BFC Daugavpils ( 5-0 ) but had been held by Valmiera, Riga FC, FK Auda and Metta. In 10 matches they had only scored 15 times, but conceded a miserly 3 goals. Serbian Andrej Ilic was the top scorer with 4 goals, followed by ex-Viktoria Zizkov & Mlada Boleslav Czech International defender Petr Mares ( 3 caps ) with 3.

Five players who figured in the 2020 season are still with the club, defenders Vladislavs Sorokins ( 9 caps ), Vitalijs Jagodinskis ( 31 caps ) & Slovenian defender Ziga Lipuscek, plus Brazilian midfielder Emerson Deocleciano, who is also known as Santana, and Ivorian forward Cedric Kouadio. Two players from 2020 champions Riga FC are now at RFS, Serbian midfielder Stefan Panic ( 1 cap ) and defender Elvis Stuglis ( 9 caps ).

Three Latvian Internationals started for RFS, full-back Roberts Savalnieks ( 46 caps ), centre-back Marci Oss ( 22 caps ) and keeper Jevgenijs Nerugals ( 1 cap ). In addition to Panic and Mares, the other international starting for RFS was Lithuanian midfielder Karolis Uzela ( 3 caps ) whilst midfielder Alexsej Golijanin comes from Bosnia, and Mikaza Nagasawa is Japanese. There were also three Latvian internationals amongst the RFS substitutes.

Tukums’ average attendance this season has been 293 whilst the best in the division is Riga FC with 470. RFS have averaged 415 so far.

Tickets for today’s match were €4 for adults and €2 for concessions, and it was free to watch on One Football.com with a commentary in Latvian, and with no commentary on Eleven Sports and Bet365.com. The bookies made RFS 1/6 short-price favourites to win, with Tukums at 14/1 and the draw at 5/1.

The first meeting between the two sides had finished in a 1-0 win for RFS in Riga.

The temperature at the 17.00 local time kick-off was 19 degrees and it was sunny. Tukums were in all green, whilst RFS were in an all-blue kit, and it looked like there were 15-20 RFS fans in the away section.

The 1,000 capacity Tukuma Pilsetas Stadions resembles a lower league regional Belgian ground with its large adverts behind the open rows of seats. The other three sides of the ground are enclosed by large wire fences but the artificial surface looked worn in places. 

 

After kick-off, an injury to Tukums Stuglis after less than 60 seconds held up play for a couple of minutes. He appeared to hurt his leg jumping for a header and when play restarted RFS were passing it around nicely, patiently probing for openings.

The opening goal of the game arrived in the 8^th minute. Mares took a long-throw down the left touch-line, Golijanin headed it on to Ilic who flicked the ball over Butovskis, where Emerson took possession, held off Sidorovs to steer past advancing keeper. 1-0 to RFS.

The visitors should have doubled their lead in the 13^th minute but from 6 yards, Jolijanin missed his header to a cross from the left-wing and the ball hit Ilic and bounced to safety. At this stage Tukums had not strung 3 passes together and looked a little in awe of their opponents, and RFS were in control.

Tukems finally started to get into the match and in the 15^th minute Anmanis had a shot blocked on edge of area, then a cross by Sidorovs from the left needed a good header away by Mares to prevent Puzanovs having a chance at the far post.

Remarkably the scores were levelled in the 20^th minute. After a piece of scrappy play on the left side of the field, a clumsy foul by Uzela on Anmanis just inside the area saw the referee award a penalty, and Kirss calmly sent the keeper the wrong way from spot for his 4^th goal of season.

A good spell then followed for Tukums. Krancmanis saw his 25-yarder blocked, Kirss intercepted loose pass to run towards the RFS area but his long-range shot went a couple of feet wide, escorted by the watchful RFS keeper who had it covered.

Tukums now looked a lot more confident and after a RFS corner was cleared, Krancmanis ran 60 yards deep into the RFS half and laid the ball off to Melkis, but his effort hit Savalnieks for a corner.

In the 30^th minute a hurried clearance from the RFS defence ricocheted to Puzanovs free inside the area, but lacking composure his shot was hurriedly sliced high and wide.

The game took an unfortunate turn for the home side a minute later as Kirss went down injured with Nagasawa in close attendance but it looked more a case of his foot being caught in the astrotruf rather than a foul. With Kirss off receiving treatment RFS ruthlessly took advantage of the having the extra player.  Nagasawa found space on the right, and with Ilic not being tracked by Butovskis, the cross to the 6 yard box was powerfully headed home by the Serbian striker to give RFS a 2-1 lead. Kirss was immediately replaced.

Tukums responded well and a cross from the left caused panic in the RFS defence and could only be hacked clear as far as Stuglis just outside the penalty box, but his first time 20 yarder drifted a few feet wide.

Emerson was increasingly coming to the fore with strong runs inside the Tukums half and after bursting into the home area he won a corner from a tight angle. The corner was taken by Mares and Ilic again made a good run to evade his marker to head home from just outside the 6 yard box for his 6^th goal of season to move to the top of the scoring charts in the Virsliga, and to give his side a 3-1 lead.

A minute before the interval Emerson made another impressive run and from his ball into area, Golijanin mis-kicked from 8 yards and scuffed wide.

A 1-3 half-time scoreline looked a little harsh on Tukums but in Emerson, RFS had the best player on the park, and Tukums defending had left a lot to be desired.

Tukums started the second half well and made a determined effort to get back into the match. Almost immediately, substitute Rogovs’ cross from right found Krancmanis free and in a good position, but the finish was weak and Nerugals was able to dive and save. It was a great chance missed.

In the 48^th minute Anmaris saw his 20 yard pile-driver force a good diving save from Nerugals to punch away, then Lipuscek’s poor clearance to a cross from right wing went to Rogovs but his first-time snap shot went across goal and just wide of far post.

As the pressure built on the RFS defence Ozols beat his marker on right but the cross was well by claimed by the keeper. It was a spirited start to half by Tukums, and when the ball was worked inside area to Melkis the toe-poke at goal hit a defender, and on 60 minutes the lively Sidorovs shot just wide from 20 yards just wide after winning a tackle with Zelenkovs.

RFS had to do something to stop the tide and they made two changes, and one of the new men, Finn Adam Markhiev produced a low shot but it was straight at keeper Cevers.

Tukums responded but a 25-yard attempt from Melkis was optimistic and went several feet wide, then in the 66^th minute RFS struck the decisive blow. Savalnieks’ pass from the touchline on half-way reached Zelenkovs and with Anmanis not closing him down, Zelenkov was able to send a 25-yard left footer into bottom corner of the net. Keeper Cevers was very slow to move though and really should have done better, and all round it was a poor goal to concede.

Tukums did get the ball into the net in the 73th minute. Sidorovs pass to Melkis was flicked on for Krancmanis to go clear and slip the ball under the keeper as he dived at this feet, but offside was given and the goal was chalked off.

A minute after the reprieve, Ilic pushed over Anmanis but no foul was given, and a flowing move linking Ilic, Emerson and Kouadio put Ilic in space on right wing, but as Ozols and Jansons ran in different directions to leave Emerson completely unmarked, Ilic’s pin-point cross set up the Brazilian 6 yards out but he mis-hit his volley into the ground, enabling Cevers to tip the bouncing ball over bar. The chance should have been buried and it was a poor miss.

Tukums were tiring and RFS were increasingly dominant. A Vlalukin corner flashed across goal and away to safety, and the next goal came in the 76^th minute. Anmanis was dispossessed near half-way by Markhiev. Jansons made a hash of trying to intercept the pass from Ilic to Emerson, leaving the Brazilian a simple finish from close to the penalty spot to make it 5-1.

Vlalukin then went marauding down the right onto Markhiev long ball and crossed to Emerson, who took one step back to move away from Sidorovs and shot across goal for his hat-trick.

Tukums still bravely went looking for a consolation goal and after Anmanis had bravely won a tackle just inside own half, Melkis showed good skill to turn away from his marker, but the long-range shot was deflected well wide for a corner.

In the 90^th minute, Kouadio took advantage of the home side’s tired legs to run down left and his ball across the face of goal was met by Vlalukin at the back post to steer to the opposite corner of the goal despite Emerson’s attempted to get a touch on it.

Sympathetically the referee played only one extra minute to swiftly put Tukums out of their misery. The 7-1 scoreline was harsh as Tukums had put RFS under a lot of pressure at different times in the match and they had looked decent going forward, and with the return of their two loanees from RFS they should be confident of picking up enough points to stay clear of relegation. However, their defending was awful and was regularly exposed by the quality play from Emerson and Ilic. For RFS stronger challenges await !

Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1xeRd3qbrc&t=185s

FK Tukums 2000 – Cevers – Ozols, Butovskis, Jansons, Sidorovs – Kirss ( Kholodov ), Anmanis, Stuglis – Melkis, Puzanovs ( Rugovs ), Krancmanis ( Udris )

Rigas Futbola Skola : Nerugals – Savalnieks ( Stuglis ), Oss, Lipuscek, Mares ( Vlalukin ) – Uzela ( Kouadio ), Panic, Golijanin ( Markhiev ), Nagasawa ( Zelenkovs ) – Emerson Deocleciano, Ilic

 

 

 

Oxford City 2-0 Worthing FC ( att : 2,017 ) – 2022/23 National League One South – Play-off Semi-Final

May 7, 2023

Today’s promotion play-off semi-final saw the meeting of the sides that finished 3^rd and 4^th in regular season table in National League One South, separated only by goal difference. In a remarkable first season in National League One South, Worthing had scored 92 goals but incredibly had conceded 72 ( 13 of them against Champions Ebbsfleet ), which would probably be some sort of record for a promoted side should they prevail through the play-offs.

 

Worthing beat Braintree 2-1 at home in first play-off round in front of a crowd of 2,678 to earn the right to visit Oxford City. The winners of today’s encounter knew they would be at home to St Albans in the play-off final after the Saints won a penalty shoot-out at Dartford after a 1-1 draw after extra-time.

The honours were shared in the two meetings between the two sides, with Worthing winning 1-0 in a midweek floodlight match in November in a match where Oxford City struck the woodwork 4 times, but The Hoops triumphed 3-0 in the return in February in front of a crowd of 800.

Today’s match was all-ticket for visiting fans and their allocation of 450, 15% of the ground capacity, quickly sold out. An additional 100 tickets were then also made available and they were also snapped up in a short space of time. Tickets at the gate would be available on the day to home supporters subject to availability, with prices being £14 online and £15 on the gate ( £9 for concessions ).

For perhaps only the second time ever there would be segregation of away fans for a match at Court Place Farm, with the FA Cup Tie replay against Tranmere being the only other match in recent memory.

Parking at Court Place Farm is normally free, but due to the large crowd expected a charge of £5 was being applied, although spaces could be reserved on-line. An overflow car park at Marston school was also in operation.

Worthing are known as The Rebels, which must have been confusing when they played Slough Town, who have the same nickname !

I have been to Worthing’s Woodside Road on one occasion, to watch a Sussex Senior Cup tie replay against Crawley in February 1977. The first match had finished in a bad tempered 1-1 draw at Town Mead, and the replay was no better, as Worthing edged to a scrappy 1-0 win. I remember Worthing centre-back Ricky Sopp being particularly annoying, but over the two matches he had a grip over Wayne Peacock, Crawley’s goal machine that season who was signed not long after by Portsmouth.

In those days replays in the Senior Cup were played the following Saturday rather than mid-week under lights and with Worthing playing in the Isthmian League and Crawley in the Southern League, meetings between the two clubs were rare.

This was only my second ever Crawley away game and I paid to travel on the team coach together with a mate from school. Waiting to return back to Crawley on the coach after the game, I was surprised to see many players from both sides having a laugh and drink together in the bar, after having spent two matches trying to kick lumps out of each other and arguing on the pitch. How naïve I was back then ! 

 

Worthing’s top scorer was ex-Bognor Regis striker Ollie Pearce on 24 goals, the third highest in the league. Australian Callum Kealy had scored 12 times but joined Havant & Waterlooville in February. Midfielder Davide Rodari is on loan from Crawley Town, Mo Dabre is on loan from Swindon and Liam Vincent is on loan from Portsmouth. Midfielder Jack Paxman was injured in the win over Braintree and so missed today’s game. Worthing’s manager is ex-Brighton defender Adam Hinshelwood. Worthing went into the match in good form, with 5 wins in their last 6 games.

Although Oxford City lost their last game of the season against 10-man Bath City they had also been in good form, with recent results including a 5-1 win at Dover, and a 3-1 home win over Chelmsford City.  Klaidi Lolos and Josh Parker topped their scoring charts with 16 goals each, but the strength of their side laid in their long serving mid-field trio of Reece Fleet, Josh Ashby and Zac McEachran with their play being well suited to the artificial surface at Court Place Farm, and McEachran in particular having had an outstanding season.

The Hoops were in the play-offs last season, overcoming Eastbourne Borough in the first round before been eliminated by eventually winners Dorking Wanderers. It was felt that playing an extra match had taken a lot out of the squad and effected their performance at Dorking, so it would remain to be seen if Worthing would be similarly affected today.

Bet365 made Oxford City 21/20 favourites, with Worthing at 21/10 and the draw at 13/5. After constant rain on Coronation Saturday, the weather at the 15.30 kick-off time was sunny and 19 degrees. It was quite warm, and having forgotten to bring a hat and not being under cover, I was worried I might get sunburnt !

The game was being streamed live on the National League TV website for a fee of £9.50, and BBC Radio Oxford were providing live commentary.

My prepaid parking entitled me to a space on the netball courts next to club car park and at the turnstile there was a long queue at the turnstile for prepaid tickets, and no-one at the turnstile for pay on the day. Once inside, a pop-up bar was present for the day, but looked to be only selling beers, and there were long queues at the two tea bars, and for the bar inside the clubhouse.

 

The Worthing fans were housed in one quarter of the covered terrace behind the far goal, about half of the main stand, and the standing area between the two. Before the game they were in good voice !

Worthing were in all red whilst Oxford City were in their normal blue and white hoops. In addition to the injured Paxman, The Rebels had been forced to make one other change to the starting XI against Braintree as keeper Harrison Male was also injured, so Secka came into the side. Oxford City made one change to the side that started at Bath last week, with Miccio replacing Davies on the left side of defence.

The visitors made a lively start and had a good chance to take the lead with just over a minute played. Colbran’s long ball put Pearce clear inside the City area but keeper Haigh narrowed the angle and blocked the shot with his chest.

With the crowd still taking that all in, The Hoops should have scored two minutes later. Striker Josh Parker was being fouled near the half-way line by Racine, but with the referee playing a good advantage he was able to make a pass to put Potter clear. Keeper Secka raced off his line but Potter easily went round him, but with an open goal he took a heavy touch and the ball rolled off for a goal-kick. An incredible miss !

The home side slowly started to take control of the game. Parker just failed to get on the end of a low cross from Miccio, Ashby shot well over and a superb threaded ball by McEachran looked to have put Williams-Bushell on goal, but a strong tackle by Rye stopped the danger.

McEachran made a strong run towards the Worthing penalty area only to be scythed down by Racine, but Parker put the free-kick well over the bar. As Worthing attempted to play the goal-kick out from the back, Sacka dwelt too long on the ball enabling Parker to charge down his clearance, and although the loose ball went to Potter, the first-time effort on goal was straight at the keeper, who gratefully saved.

Parker then won a header on half-way to put Williams-Bushell away down the right-wing but the referee halted play due to a head injury to left-back Vincent.

On 18 minutes it was Oxford City keeper Haigh’s turn to take a poor first touch inside his area but when Akanbi attempted to make a tackle, the keeper was too strong and kept possession. Worthing’s Colbran then attempted a cross-cum-shot from the right, but it took a deflection and was easily gathered by keeper Haigh.

When City had a free-kick near half-way after 20 minutes, Rodari hauled down Carroll just outside the area, but Ashby’s free-kick was driven into the wall and the follow-up from McEachran was blocked.

The opening goal finally arrived in the 25^th minute. A flowing move involving Williams-Bushell, Potter and Ashby found McEachran who prodded the ball into the far corner with keeper Sacka flat-footed.

City were rampant, and a raking cross-field pass from Fleet reached Williams-Bushell, who laid the ball back to Burley, and his low cross was met by Potter at the far post but the effort went a couple of feet wide. Racine had to make a superb sliding tackle to prevent Parker breaking clear, then Coyle delivered a superb cross from the left-wing but Williams-Bushell was adjudged to have fouled the covering Worthing defender.

With City on top, there wasn’t much noise coming from the Worthing corner, and when Rodari pushed Burley over near the corner flag, the cry for one wag in the City section was “Unlucky Grealish” in reference to the Crawley Town loanee’s hairstyle.

With 4 minutes to play to half-time, Fleet sent another dangerous cross from the left, but again a foul was awarded against Williams-Bushell as he tried to get to the ball.

The home side doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time. A love chip by Parker found McEachran who went on a typical mazy run, beating two defenders, but was forced out wide. He was able to turn and cross from the left to the back post where Williams-Bushell was able to head back cross goal for the unmarked Potter to atone for his earlier miss, and hammer left-footed into the net from just inside the 6 yard box.

At half-time Oxford City full deserved their two-goal lead. After a short, lively opening, The Rebels had offered little and spent most of the half chasing shadows and Fleet, Ashby and McEachran weaved their webs with their intricate passing and dangerous runs.

Worthing made a change at the second half, as Dabre came on for Beresford, and they seemed to change their formation with Wills dropping back to a more central defensive role, Rye moving to left-back and Vincent moving to left side of midfield.

Two minutes into the half Burley was too strong for Rodari but as the Hoops defender moved into the penalty area, Rodari was able to recover and make the saving tackle. Worthing responded with a strong run down the right wing by Pearce but his cross was too long and went off for a throw-in.

As The Rebels enjoyed a good spell, Meekums’ superb cross-field ball was controlled by Akanbi who cut inside but the shot was weak and at keeper Haigh. Another good move saw Meekums’ ball across the face of the goal cleared by Burley, then another Meekums’ pass behind the City defence led to another corner for Worthing.

With 65 minutes gone, Worthing made a double substitution, surprisingly taking off their top scorer when needed to score twice, but their manager probably decided he had nothing to lose by having a gamble. However, the visitors were still unable to manufacture any clear-cut chances, the best being a free-kick from Starkey which was met by Racine, but the header was a comfortably save for Haigh.

With 17 minutes left on the clock, City decided to take off McEachan after a man-of-the-match performance, perhaps thinking the game was already won, and with one-eye on preserving him for next week’s final. City fans were no doubt hoping that there wouldn’t be a repeat of Sir Alf Ramsey taking off Bobby Charlton in the 1970 World Cup Quarter-final against West Germany. However, there was no Franz Beckenbauer in the Worthing side to take advantage of this change, and the home cruised to victory in the closing stages.

Colbran had a long range shot blocked and Meekums attempt from the rebound was easily saved. Akanbi pushed over Burley and looked to run clear but when the referee awarded the free-kick against the Worthing striker he was not happy. The only other piece of goal mouth action from Worthing came just over 6 minutes from time but after a free-kick was flicked on, Rye couldn’t make a decent contact and the ball rolled harmlessly off for a goal-kick.

The last chance fell to the home side. After Starkey slipped, Iaciofano ran towards goal but his goal-bound attempt was blocked.

Worthing were better in the second half, but rarely looked like getting back into the game, and Oxford City comfortably moved forward to a home final against St Albans, a side they did the double over in the league, in a game which will be shown live on BT Sport. Worthing still have a chance to finish their fine season with some silverware, as they take on Bognor Regis in the Sussex Senior Cup Final, in a match being played at Brighton and Hove Albion’s Amex Stadium.

Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrLaSQpF-8k

Oxford City : Haigh – Burley ( Davies ), Carroll, Miccio – Williams-Bushell, Fleet, Ashby, McEachran ( Humphrey-Ewers ), Coyle – Potter, Parker ( Iaciofano )

Worthing : Secka – Colbran, Rye, Racine, Vincent – Rodari, Wills ( Parson ), Beresford ( Dabre ), Meekums – Akanbi, Pearce ( Starkey )