Ogre United sink Super Nova to claim valuable away victory

Ogre United. Image credit to Roberts Pūce

Ogre United boosted their survival hopes by defeating SK Super Nova 2-1 in the final match of the 22nd round, narrowing the gap to the team above them in the Tonybet Virslīga table.

The first half was evenly contested, with both teams striking the woodwork but neither able to find the breakthrough. Ogre United came closest after half an hour when Markuss Ivulāns curled a direct free-kick against the post. Super Nova responded just before the interval as Amadou Samate hit the upright from close range after being picked out by Mārcis Ošs.

Although Super Nova earned six corners before half-time, they were unable to capitalise, while Ogre United made their set pieces count after the restart.

The visitors took the lead in the 48th minute. Following a corner, Kristers Čudars’ effort took a decisive deflection off Valērijs Lizunovs and ended up in the back of the net, with the goal officially recorded as an own goal.

Super Nova had several opportunities to level the score but lacked composure in front of goal. Samate wasted a golden chance in the 56th minute after being found by Agris Glaudāns on a swift counterattack, firing well over the crossbar from inside the penalty area.

Ogre United made the missed opportunities even more costly ten minutes from time. Another dangerous corner from Arsentiy Doroshenko found Aleksejs Kudeļkins, who powered a header into the net to double the visitors’ advantage for his first goal since since moving to Ogre this summer.

The hosts refused to give up and nearly pulled one back moments later. Ošs was twice denied by outstanding saves from goalkeeper Ņikita Parfjonovs before Markuss Kalniņš struck the post at the other end for Ogre United on the counterattack.

Super Nova eventually found a consolation in stoppage time when Ošs headed home from close range following another corner, but time ran out before they could complete the comeback.

The victory gives Ogre United another important three points in the battle to climb the standings and now are just four points behind the ninth place Tukums 2000, while Super Nova missed a chance to move up to Top 5 and are currently 7th with 24 points after 22 games.

SK Super Nova vs Ogre United – 1-2 (0-0)
Goals: Ošs 90+2′ | Lizunovs 48′ (Own goal), Kudeļkins 80′

#TeamP WDL GFGAGDPts
1
RFS
22 18 2 2 54 16 38 56
2
Riga FC
22 17 4 1 65 19 46 55
3
FK Auda
22 12 4 6 37 26 11 40
4
FK Liepāja
22 8 4 10 28 34 -6 28
5
BFC Daugavpils
22 7 6 9 25 29 -4 27
6
FS Jelgava
22 6 7 9 24 38 -14 25
7
Super Nova
22 7 3 12 23 35 -12 24
8
Grobiņa
22 4 8 10 15 33 -18 20
9
FK Tukums 2000
22 3 8 11 37 44 -7 17
10
Ogre United
22 3 4 15 21 55 -34 13