Harju hold on to a point in a action-packed game against Paide

Premium Liiga’s fifth-placed Paide Linnameeskond were held to a thrilling 2–2 home draw by table neighbors Harju JK Laagri — a major result for the visitors, who secured their first point of the season against the league’s traditional top four. The encounter was a fierce follow-up to last month’s match, where Paide narrowly edged Harju 2–1 thanks to a stoppage-time penalty.

While the two clubs sit close on the table, Paide had a clear nine-point advantage heading into the game and boasted a perfect record against Harju in top-flight meetings, winning all four encounters in the 2023 season, though three of those came by the narrowest 1–0 margin.

The action kicked off in the 28th minute when Paide took the lead. A defensive mishap by Harju’s Suppi, who misjudged a ball he attempted to shepherd out of play, allowed Markus Saliste to pounce and whip in a dangerous cross. Under pressure, Harju’s Jose Ribeiro deflected the ball into his own net for 1–0.

But Harju wasted no time responding. Just three minutes later, Eerme struck a stunning equalizer from 17 meters out, curling the ball into the far top corner. It was a moment of brilliance, capping off a swift counterattack initiated by Kelement, who claimed the assist. By halftime, the score stood level at 1–1 — a frustrating pattern for Paide, who similarly surrendered a lead two rounds earlier against Kuressaare. This time, though, the equalizer came from sheer quality rather than defensive lapses.

The match turned chaotic shortly after the break. In the 51st minute, Paide’s Dubackic was sent off following a VAR review, after a reckless challenge where he caught an opponent’s ankle with his studs. His stint lasted barely a minute before being shown a straight red.

Down a man, Paide suddenly found themselves chasing the game. Harju made them pay in the 55th minute when Eerme slid a clever low cross from the right side of the box. The ball evaded everyone — including surprised Paide keeper Jarju — and nestled inside the far post, with Eerme credited with the finish putting Harju ahead – 2–1.

Paide kept pushing and came close in the 61st minute when Saarma’s free-kick found Baranov at the far post, but the midfielder couldn’t direct it into the empty net. Their persistence finally paid off in the 73rd minute when Martin Miller scored with a spectacular bicycle kick, converting from ten meters out after a pinpoint cross from Ojamaa — 2–2. In the final stages, Harju goalkeeper Ivans Baturins was a wall, tipping Corr’s thunderous long-range strike onto the crossbar and calmly handling the ensuing chaos in the box. Despite Paide’s pressure, Harju defended bravely and saw out the draw.

After this draw Paide now are winless in four straight games, while Harju moved up to the 7th place in the league table.

Paide Linnameeskond vs Harju JK Laagri – 2:2 (1:1)
Goals: Ribeiro 28′ (Own goal), Miller 72′ | Eerme 31′ 55′
PAI: Jarju, Gueye, Baranov, Delevic (Dubackic 46′), Saliste, Miller (Badamosi 79′), Hoim (Gomis 70′), D.Luts (Lilander 53′), Ojamaa, Corr, Saarma (S.Lutss)
HAR: Baturins, Suppi (Jarve 79′), Kaevats, Laur, Antonov, Rudenko, Ribeiro (Ussa 85′), Kelement, Reimaa, Piht (Ennuste 90+1′), Eerme (Kose 79′)

Premium Liiga Matchday 13 results:

• 17.05.2025 – Pärnu JK Vaprus vs Tartu JK Tammeka – 2:1
• 17.05.2025 – Paide Linnameeskond vs Harju JK Laagri – 2:2
• 18.05.2025 – FC Flora Tallinn vs FCI Levadia – 14:30
• 18.05.2025 – Nomme Kalju FC vs FC Kuressaare – 19:00
• 19.05.2025 – JK Tallinna Kalev vs JK Narva Trans – 19:00