Jippo 3 PK-35 1

Three BIG BIG BIG points came our way this afternoon. We left the field 3-1 winners over the traveling Helsinki side and more importantly came away with 3 points that have now moved us out of the relegation zone!!! I also opened my account with Jippo after a great cross from Jan Berg to put us up 2-1.

We certainly didn't start as the brighter of the two sides. In fact, the entire first half was pretty poor from our end even though we scored 3 goals. Passing to our own team was at a premium and put us under a bit of pressure although we came out relatively unscathed.

I have no idea how our first goal was scored. Jussi Kemo got the opener while I was receiving treatment on the side of the field. While running back to get into my defensive position, I mistakenly ran into Etu Sassila of PK-35 with my head crashing into his. Unfortunately for me, my tooth managed to find its way through my lip, leaving a gaping hole.

After some rather crude medicinal work, I re-entered the field with a makeshift band-aid covering my lip. However, the band-aid didn't exactly do anything for the pain. But I soldiered on. PK-35 managed to work themselves back into the match at the 20 minute with Petteri Kaijasilta doing what he does best...scoring.

A few minutes later, I would help restore the lead, however. Jan Berg found some space as a crossed the half way line and put in a great cross. I made a pretty good darting run and met the ball with a slide and deftly placed into the corner of the net. It was a pretty goal I must say, but most of the credit should go to Jan for an immaculate pass.

We were awful in possession and for some reason opted to long balls into the heart of the PK defense. There defenders easily towered over us and won most of the balls. However, despite the lack of possession John Keister managed to give us a two goal cushion heading into half time. After picking up the ball near the half, John noticed PK's defensive line was playing rather high. He made a long touch behind the defense and after rounding the goalkeeper deposited the ball into the back of the net despite the last ditch effort from a PK defender.

The second half was much better on our end. Our passing was much cleaner and we found plenty of space behind the PK line although never managed to take advantage of it. I managed to make several good runs behind the line, but unfortunately the pass was either cut out before reaching me or was too long. We were too slow in recognizing the pass as several others had made some terrific runs behind the line, however, and we really should have managed to put a few more goals in.

Specifically, I missed a glorious chance to put the game away. Sasha Antilainen ran onto a ball into the space on the wing and after out racing his mark played a hard ball centrally to me. With little pressure I managed to put the ball over the goal from six yards out. To be fair though, it was played with quite a bit of pace and bounced just before reaching me. Regardless, though I should have put the ball into the old onion bag.

PK dominated proceedings toward the end of the match, but never truly threatened with the exception of a Peter Louis (fellow American) drive that flashed wide of the goal. Lassi Hurskainen, our goalkeeper, did a terrific job of gathering crosses although his distribution was a bit off (sorry Lassi couldn't make you sound too good!).

In the end, it was a much needed 3 points and a happy day for me despite having to go to the hospital afterwards. I had 3 stitches placed on the inside of my mouth and have a lovely white, butter-fly band-aid across my lip (the band-aid doesn't have a butterfly on it, its a butter-fly band-aid ie helps to pinch together the hole in my lip).

Look forward to my Ykkonen wrap at Football in Finland