A full weekend of fixtures, and it looks more and more like confirming the top and bottom of the table. Meanwhile, the group of teams between third and eleventh are still just as close... A quick summary.
Jaro 1-5 HJK
Since beating Honka a fortnight ago, HJK's task was clear - win their remaining games, they win the title. They kicked off on a wet Sunday at the same time as Honka, but they went about their business in style, taking four minutes to open the scoring - Mikael Forssell with his first goal in seven league games, but he then slammed a 22nd minute penalty against the post... They eventually doubled the lead before the break, Zeneli finding space at the edge of the box and firing in the bottom corner.
Forssell challenging Jaro keeper Öst
The second half had barely started when Nikolai Alho lashed in a third goal after Jaro threw away possession. Jaro lost Funicello for a second yellow after a wild challenge on 53 minutes, then Sakari Mattila made it 0-4 on 58'. Forssell scored his second on 76', meeting a cross for his eighth goal of the season. An own goal with ten minutes left made it 1-5, but it was a comprehensive win.
Highlights of Jaro 1-5 HJK
HJK return to the top of the table, with 51 points from 25 matches (their game in hand is against TPS later in the month). Jaro are sixth, with 34 points from 26 games.
Lahti 2-0 KuPS
Friday's game was a feisty affair, but was settled by two goals inside twenty minutes. The first was a slight blooper, Mäkitalo slipped while taking a corner in the 11th minute, but the ball found it's way to Pyry Kärkkäinen who finished nicely. Six minutes later, Tommi Kari met a cross in front of the goal, and Mika Hilander could only push it back out via the bar, and a goal given.
After that, a few yellow cards were brandished, and league top scorer Rafael saw red for an elbow in the second half. There were some tasty challenges, but Lahti saw the game out and it ended 2-0.
Highlights of Lahti 2-0 KuPS
Lahti, having spent nearly the whole season in the bottom two, go up to seventh, with 33 points from 26 matches. KuPS drop to 10th, with 31 points from 26 games.
TPS 2-2 JJK
Saturday's match was crucial for both sides, but the result did little to help either. Hilska gave JJK the lead after 30', but TPS equalised just 3 minutes later with a goal from Lehtonen. In the second half, Eero Markkanen said farewell (he signed on loan for HJK later) with another goal on 50', but Juho Lähde salvaged a point on 69'.
Highlights of TPS 2-2 JJK
TPS are eighth in the table, with 32 points from 25 matches. JJK remain bottom, 20 points from 26 games, ten points from safety with seven games left.
MYPA 0-0 Honka
No goals. One red card (MYPA's Ramadingaye was sent off for a second yellow in the last minute). Honka lose ground. Enjoy!
Highlights of MYPA 0-0 Honka
MYPA are third in the table, with 37 points from 26 games. Honka drop to second, with 50 from 26.
VPS 1-1 RoPS
With both teams in the huddle for the race for third, but another draw didn't help either. The goals didn't come until late, but the first was special - Jamaican midfielder Akeem Priestly picked up the ball on the halfway line and fired in from 25 yards out (82mins). A rare away win was on the cards, but VPS equalised on 86mins, Scotsman Grant Kerr with a crucial goal to save a point.
Highlights of VPS 1-1 RoPS
VPS are fourth in the table, with 37 points from 26 games. RoPS are 9th, with 32 points from their 26 matches.
IFK Mariehamn 1-1 Inter
Inter opened the scoring through Irakli Sirbiladze (65mins), his eighth of the season, but a curling 87th minute equaliser from Alonzo Adlam secured a point for Mariehamn. I don't think I've written more than a paragraph about any Inter match this season.
Highlights of IFK Mariehamn 1-1 Inter
IFK Mariehamn are fifth, with 36 points from 26 matches. Inter are eleventh, with 30 points from 26 games.
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