September 14 & 15, 2008: Round 22 of the Formula Division:
September 14
B68 Toftir – HB Tórshavn 2-1 (0-0) 1-0 Dánjal Pauli Højgaard 1-1 Andrew av Fløtum 2-1 Brian Andrésen
A very poor HB-team had one (except from a penalty) effort on goal during the entire match. In fact, HB hardly created any attack at all. But HB nearly escaped with a point when they equalized with a penalty 5 minutes from the end. But it was all in vain as B68 scored the winning goal at the death.
HB nearly took the lead after a quarter of an hour, but the long-range effort from Páll Mohr Joensen smashed against the post with B68 goalkeeper Vlada Filipovic well beaten.
However, the first 45 minutes were quite even, most of the play going on in midfield, and more or less no scoring opportunities were created by either team. B68 had a couple of crosses which HB-goalkeeper Marcin David didn't seem too comfortable with. Another cross almost deceived David, but he just managed to get his fist to it before it went over him and into the goal.
In the second half, B68 took the lead after only a couple of minutes when Senegalese Keita on the right played the ball across to Dánjal Pauli Højgaard who steered the ball across the line.
But HB never looked close getting the equalizer as they never managed to put any pressure on the B68 goal. Instead, B68 could easily have increased their lead as they had at least 3 huge chances. In one incident Marcin David in the goal saved well from Keita (?) who was in a good shooting position in the penalty area, and once Poul Thomas Dam saved on the line. Later, B68 hit he post after a corner.
5 minutes from the end it looked like B68 were going to pay for the missed chances when HB were awarded a penalty when the referee judged that the ball had hit a B68 defender on the arm. Andrew av Fløtum converted from the spot.
But at the death, Brian Andrésen (the Dane B68 signed in the summer break) scored the winning goal for B68 when he rose highest to head home from a corner.
This was the first time B68 scored more than 1 goal at home. And in total they have only scored 5 times at home in 11 matches and are the worst ranked home-team in the league. On the other hand, they are the highest ranked away-team.
B71 Sandoy – Skála 1-0 (0-0) 1-0 Clayton Soares
The winner of this match would be equal with KÍ in 8th place if KÍ lost to B36, albeit with an inferior goal difference. – And KÍ did lose.
For B71, 47-year-old former goalkeeper Waldemar Nowicki had replaced injured Símun Rógvi Hansen in the goal. Midway through the second half, Nowicki saved from a completely clear Alexandur Johansen.
The match was for the most very even, but maybe with a few more and better scoring opportunities for B71. But Skála were a whisker from taking the lead in the first half when they rattled the woodwork with a free kick.
Towards the end of the match, B71 threw caution to the wind in quest for the massive 3 points and this gamble paid dividend in stoppage time when Brazilian forward Clayton Soares snatched victory.
B71 visit KÍ next Sunday. Skála aren´t quite out of it yet as there are several games left where they'll fancy their chances for points. But Skála will be hoping for a draw between KÍ and B71.
B36 Tórshavn – KÍ Klaksvík 1-0 (0-0) 1-0 Sam Malson
B36 are back in the runners-up spot after beating KÍ who are now equal on points with B71 in 9th place, but KÍ have a superior goal difference.
English forward Sam Malson scored the only goal of the game with a long-range effort early in the 2nd half. This was his first goal for B36.
Last week B36 terminated the contract with Súni Olsen because of improper conduct during a night out. Olsen, who has been playing for Aalborg and Viborg in the Danish Superliga for a few years, joined B36 in the summer break, but has only played in two league matches for B36 since signing.
Chances were few and far between in the first half, but a quarter into the second half, the deadlock was finally broken with a goal for each side in quick succession. Øssur Dalbúð made it 1-0 for the visitors with his 7th goal of the season, but Símun Louis Jacobsen equalized shortly after with a header from a corner.
10 minutes from time defender Atli Gregersen snatched victory for Víkingur with a rare goal from him, although this was his 2nd this season.
EB/Streymur could virtually have secured the title today had they won as the gap on B36 in second place would have been increased to 11 points with only 5 matches remaining.
But ÍF took the lead with a penalty after only 10 minutes and held on to that for the rest of the match to inflict EB/Streymur with their first drop of points at home this season.
For ÍF, the 3 points could also prove vital as they were getting dangerously close to the relegation line again, but that buffer has now been increased to 5 points.
But can EB/Streymur really throw away the title as they did in 2006 when they were leading HB Tórshavn by 7 points after round 22. Now EB/Streymur lead B36 Tórshavn by 8 points after round 22. And EB/Streymur have many difficult matches left on the program.
On Sunday, EB/Streymur take on Víkingur at home (In 2006, EB/Streymur lost to GÍ (who now has become Víkingur) in the run-in). After that, EB/Streymur visit current champions NSÍ Runavík. Then EB/Streymur visit B36 who are unbeaten at home. In the penultimate round, EB/Streymur visit Skála who are desperate for points to avoid relegation. Then EB/Streymur take on HB in the last round of the season. Will EB/Streymur have won the title then already or will they need to get points against HB in that match? Or will history repeat itself?
The answer is "probably not", because although EB/Streymur might drop some more points, the followers are too inconsistent to capitalize on it.