League

Pockar
Spectators: 7500 (Terracing: 5625, Seating: 1725, VIP seats: 150) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Kalle Kivimäki started the match with the kick off. Petri Kuusela hit a great freekick 2 minutes into the match. In the 22nd match minute, Pockar was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Eero Viinanen to maneuver through the defense. Veikko Venäläinen took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Veli Kivi, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Kalle Kivimäki fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 28th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Rainer Palonen having to interfere. Jalmari Peteri kicked well hit freekick during the 29th minute of the match. The fans had the chance to grab some refreshments as the whistle went for half-time. The score stood at 0-0 after a close first half.

The hometeam waved at the audience when it was time for Roope Lätti to strike the kick off in the second half. After a defensive mix-up in Westbay FF's zone, Kalle Kivimäki stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Rainer Palonen came out of the goal and Kalle Kivimäki tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. 65 minutes into the match, Westbay FF's goal looked a bit too open when Kalle Kivimäki came free, but Rainer Palonen reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Veli Kivi's late challenge caught a Pockar's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Veli Kivi helped the player get up and apologised. After 68 played minutes Westbay FF got a freekick which was hit by Veli Kivi. Rainer Palonen made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Aleksi Paavola in the 69th minute of play. The audience thought a goal was coming when Veli Kivi got free with Veikko Venäläinen in the 73rd minute, but the goalkeeper managed to catch the ball with a huge effort. 78 minutes into the match, Aleksi Paavola had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Rainer Palonen. Westbay FF's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Aleksi Paavola was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-0. Westbay FF's players left the field with heads hung low after losing a match that had been finely balanced throughout.