Paide Linnameeskond strengthened their position in the upper part of the Premium Liiga table with a 2-0 away victory over Tammeka, surviving a remarkable finish in which they were reduced to nine men at Tamme Stadium.
With 1,047 spectators in attendance and Tammeka knowing a victory could move them into the top four, the hosts started with plenty of energy. Kauan Pereira had the first attempt inside two minutes, while both teams found the net during the opening ten minutes only to see the goals disallowed for offside. Henri Anier headed over goalkeeper Kristen Lapa before the flag went up, while Pereira suffered the same fate at the opposite end moments later.
Tammeka continued to threaten, but Paide produced one of the best chances of the opening period when Modou Pa Sohna tried his luck from distance in the 25th minute and watched the ball crash against the crossbar.
Three minutes later, the visitors took the lead. Sohna released Daniel Luts down the right, the 22-year old beat his opponent near the byline and delivered across goal for Juan Palacios, who was left with a simple finish to make it 1-0.
Tammeka struggled to maintain the intensity of their opening spell, although they almost levelled before half-time when Sambe beat his defender near the byline and tested Marko Meerits from a tight angle. Paide nevertheless went into the interval with a deserved one-goal advantage.
Anier came close to doubling the lead shortly after the restart when his shot from the edge of the penalty area rolled narrowly wide. Tammeka then began to create more pressure, but just as the hosts appeared to be finding a way back into the contest, Paide struck again in the 55th minute.
Sohna delivered towards Anier at the far side of the area, whose header found Luts in front of goal. Lapa produced an excellent initial save, but Sohna reacted quickest to the loose ball and fired home for 2-0.
The hosts were given renewed hope in the 74th minute. Substitute Ramon Smirnov was initially booked for catching Lisboa from behind, but after a VAR review the referee upgraded the decision to a red card, leaving Paide with ten men.
Tammeka pushed forward and Sambe sent an effort narrowly wide, while Pereira forced Meerits to punch away a powerful free-kick. Paide’s evening became even more dramatic in the 86th minute when substitute Siim Luts was also shown a straight red card after catching Manoel with a high challenge.
Paide eventually held on for a 2-0 victory, their greater efficiency in front of goal proving decisive on a night when Tammeka had opportunities but could not find the finishing touch.
Tartu JK Tammeka vs Paide Linnameeskond – 0-2 (0-1)
Goals: Palacios 28′, Sohna 55′
Next matches:
Tartu Tammeka (a) FC Kuressaare – September 13
Paide Linnameeskond (h) Harju JK Laagri – September 13
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
26 | 20 | 5 | 1 | 70 | 20 | 50 | 65 |
| 2 |  FC Flora |
27 | 16 | 1 | 10 | 53 | 35 | 18 | 49 |
| 3 |  Paide |
26 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 42 | 33 | 9 | 45 |
| 4 |  Nõmme Kalju |
27 | 13 | 5 | 9 | 47 | 26 | 21 | 44 |
| 5 |  Tammeka |
26 | 13 | 2 | 11 | 33 | 37 | -4 | 41 |
| 6 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
26 | 10 | 4 | 12 | 37 | 48 | -11 | 34 |
| 7 |  Harju |
27 | 10 | 1 | 16 | 38 | 46 | -8 | 31 |
| 8 |  Nõmme United |
27 | 9 | 1 | 17 | 44 | 62 | -18 | 28 |
| 9 |  Kuressaare |
27 | 8 | 4 | 15 | 30 | 46 | -16 | 28 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
27 | 5 | 3 | 19 | 21 | 62 | -41 | 18 |
