JFK Ventspils fail to capitalise on numerical advantage, lose to Smiltene
JFK Ventspils lost 1:2 at home to Smiltene/BJSS despite the visitors being reduced to ten men in the 69th minute. The hosts also missed a penalty late in the first half.
JFK Ventspils failed to make use of a one-man advantage and fell 1:2 to Smiltene/BJSS in the 15th round of the LVBET League at home. The first half ended 1:1.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 11th minute through Valters Gaismiņš. A few minutes later Valters Liepājnieks equalised for the hosts. The same player had a great chance to put Ventspils ahead in the closing stages of the first half, but he missed his penalty kick.
The visitors made the hosts pay for that miss early in the second half, as Renārs Rāms restored Smiltene's lead with a precise finish. In the 69th minute, Bruno Agnis Čākurs was sent off, leaving the visitors a man down. Yet Ventspils could not take advantage of the extra man and failed to score again.
Ventspils have now gone three matches without a win, while Smiltene claimed their second victory in the last five games. The home side remain 10th in the standings with 14 points, and Smiltene are 13th with seven points. Valmiera and Metta share the lead with 38 points each.
