First League: 'Metta' Bites Their Reserve Team, Gražis Reaches 11 Goals

The 11th round of the Latvian First League saw victories for all three leading clubs. Table-toppers 'Metta' overcame their de facto reserve team Skanste 3-1 at home. Sixteen-year-old Ernests Ivanovskis-Pigits opened the scoring just before halftime. Early in the second half, Ernests Gauris equalized for Skanste, but Rūdolfs Kļavinskis restored 'Metta's lead four minutes later. The hosts' nerves were calmed only in the 85th minute when Selū Džallovs scored his first goal in his second appearance.

'Riga Mariners' dominated at the Hanzas Vidusskola field, beating JDFS Alberts 4-0. Alģirds Gražis netted a brace, bringing his season tally to 11 goals in 10 games, tying him with 'Metta's Sadīks Salē atop the scoring chart. Rihards Bokāns and Renārs Kalpaks also scored for the Mariners.

'Valmiera' comfortably defeated 'Leevon PPK' 4-1 at home. Toki Jamamura and Māmadū Dembelé put the hosts 2-0 up within 15 minutes. Markuss Kurtišs pulled one back after the break, but 'Leevon PPK' were dealt a blow when Gabriels Kirkils received a straight red card in the 57th minute. Vladimirs Stepanovs and Gleisons Lopešs then sealed the win.

In other matches, 'Mārupe' came from behind to beat 'Smiltene' 2-1, while 'Rēzekne' drew with 'Ventspils' 1-1, and 'RFS-2' and 'Super Nova-2' shared the points 1-1.

After 11 rounds, 'Metta' lead with 31 points, followed by 'Valmiera' (29) and 'Riga Mariners' (28). Next week, 'Metta' will visit 'Tukums 2000-2', while 'Riga Mariners' host 'Leevon PPK'. In the Latvian Cup round of 16, 'Metta' will face third-tier side Valmiera 'Spēks', and 'Riga Mariners' will take on Daugavpils.