Tartu Tammeka continued their push for a place in the Premium Liiga top four with a 2-0 victory away to Narva Trans on Sunday, extending the hosts’ difficult run and dealing another blow to their survival hopes.
Both sides came into the 25th-round encounter on the back of impressive midweek results. Tammeka had defeated reigning champions Flora 3-1 in the league, while Trans knocked Nõmme Kalju out of the Estonian Cup with a 2-0 victory.
Despite sitting at opposite ends of the table, Trans were slight favourites before kick-off and made the brighter start. Gero threatened twice during the opening 20 minutes, first rattling the far post with a curling effort in the 11th minute before turning away from Tammeka defender Joachim Amijekori and firing wide from a promising position.
The visitors struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in an evenly contested first half, but gradually began to find more space. Trans debutant Emilis Petkus produced an important block to deny Muhammed Hydara’s long-range effort, while Tammeka also came close when a cross from Veelma narrowly evaded Tanel Lang.
The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 42nd minute. With Trans temporarily reduced to ten men while Velijev received treatment off the pitch, Tammeka quickly exploited the numerical advantage. Veelma delivered a cross towards the far post, where Uggeri rose unmarked to head home from close range, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Trans were unable to respond before the interval, despite having enjoyed some of the better chances earlier in the half.
The second half saw the hosts increase the pressure. Trans switched to a more attacking formation, and substitute Aleksandr Ivanyushin immediately became involved, forcing Tammeka goalkeeper Kristen Lapa into a save from a tight angle.
Gero also went close, while Tammeka’s defence repeatedly had to deal with increasing pressure around their penalty area. However, the visitors soon found a way to extend their advantage.
In the 63rd minute, Tammeka were awarded a penalty after the ball struck Campagna’s hand inside the area following a corner. After a lengthy discussion with the referee, the spot-kick was given, and Veelma confidently sent Iker Venteo the wrong way, doubling Tammeka’s lead.
Trans responded with wave after wave of attacks as they searched for a route back into the game. Gero fired over from six metres, while Lapa produced an excellent reaction save to deny him from an extremely tight angle.
The Tammeka goalkeeper remained one of the key figures in the closing stages, confidently claiming a succession of high balls into his penalty area and later saving another long-range effort from Gero.
Despite controlling much of the second half and finishing the match with 16 shots to Tammeka’s eight, Trans could not find a breakthrough. Tammeka’s disciplined defensive performance ensured that their two-goal advantage remained intact until the final whistle.
The victory sees Tammeka strengthen their challenge for a top-four finish, just four points behind the Flora and Paide who are third and fourth. Meanwhile Narva are dead last, eight points from the closest competitor with 11 matches remaining in the league.
Tammeka will return to action on Wednesday in a postponed league fixture against Flora. Trans, meanwhile, face another crucial match at the end of next week when they travel to Kuressaare.
Narva Trans vs Tartu Tammeka – 0-2 (0-1)
Goals: Uggeri 42′, Veelma 67′ (Penalty kick)
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
24 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 64 | 20 | 44 | 59 |
| 2 |  Nõmme Kalju |
25 | 13 | 5 | 7 | 45 | 22 | 23 | 44 |
| 3 |  FC Flora |
24 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 46 | 30 | 16 | 42 |
| 4 |  Paide |
24 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 40 | 31 | 9 | 42 |
| 5 |  Tammeka |
23 | 12 | 2 | 9 | 29 | 32 | -3 | 38 |
| 6 |  Harju |
25 | 10 | 1 | 14 | 36 | 41 | -5 | 31 |
| 7 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
24 | 8 | 4 | 12 | 33 | 46 | -13 | 28 |
| 8 |  Kuressaare |
25 | 7 | 4 | 14 | 27 | 41 | -14 | 25 |
| 9 |  Nõmme United |
25 | 8 | 1 | 16 | 42 | 60 | -18 | 25 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
25 | 5 | 2 | 18 | 18 | 57 | -39 | 17 |
