WINDS OF CHANGE: UNITED RECORD FIRST BACK-TO-BACK WINS
20 / 06 / 2016
VRS Optimists Rēzekne 
Against stormy winds on Saturday, Riga United Ladies beat Rēzeknes BJSS/VRS Optimists Rēzekne 3-1.
Date published: 20/06/2016 - 21:31
Riga United FC Ladies 3-1 Rēzeknes BJSS/VRS
Optimists Rēzekne
Gjerde 35', 63'
Vāciete 71'
Amongst the swirling, stormy winds at Rīgas Vidusskola 49. on
Saturday, Riga built on their win from last week and recorded a 3-1
victory against Rēzekne. This is not only the first victory
against Rēzekne, it is also the first time they have recorded
back-to-back victories in the league.
This was the best possible send off for the Ladies’ Star player,
Kristin Aune, who is returning back to Norway. She was unable
to score, but she put in a great performance up front with Liene
Vāciete. She will be missed by the team; not only off the field,
but for her stand out performances on it, including, amongst other
things, scoring the first ever goal for Riga United Ladies.
The goals came from in-form pair Marit Gjerde and Liene Vāciete for
the second week running. The brace from Gjerde brings her up to 6
goals for the season, closing in on Bidermane’s record of 7.
Vāciete’s goal brings her up to 5.
The first half was a little bit of a dull affair as both teams
struggled to get their football going at times and committed plenty
of fouls as a consequence. The game was not helped by the horrible
weather conditions; however, United were unable to keep the ball
long enough to do anything with it.
The ladies were comfortable enough in their own half, but struggled
to break through the Rēzekne back line. However, once they drew
Rēzekne forward by dropping deeper, they found success in
exploiting the gaps in the opponent’s defence. After a couple of
chances, the captain, Marit Gjerde, broke the deadlock in the 35th
minute as she sent a free kick flying into the top left-hand corner
of the goal much to the delight of the players and fans.
The second half started in the most bizarre fashion. A minute
after play had restarted, there was a corner to Rēzekne. The ball
was floated into the area; however, nature thought it would have a
say on the matter and inexplicably the strong wind blew the ball
straight into the goal catching everyone off guard. It is
often falsely claimed of a misfortune that “there is nothing anyone
could have done about it”. This time though, it is absolutely true.
Riga started to find some momentum and success in the centre of the
park as their passing game got going and they held on to the ball
for longer periods. The second half was dominated a little
more by United’s left flank players, who made a lot of progress
going forward. At one point, Ronja Penkkala picked up the ball at
the halfway line and made a storming run to get in the box, only
for the goalie to take the ball from her feet.
The second goal for Riga did indeed come from the left in the 63rd
minute. A well worked short-corner between Gjerde and Penkkala led
to Gjerde taking the ball on the edge of the box and firing a
rocket into the opposite side of the net in true Riga United
fashion.
From this point on, it was all Riga United. Rēzekne did have
some dangerous looking counters; however, the defence were equal in
concentration and physicality to see off the threat from their
forwards, leaving Jevgenija Arzubova with nothing much to do in
goal.
Liene Vāciete made it 3-1 in the 71st minute after a second
successive corner for United. Swung in by Gjerde, it was
Vāciete who rose highest and scored with a great, solid
header.
The vastly improved second half from Riga United Ladies was the
major factor which won this game. They got it together at
halftime and despite the minor setback at the restart, it was a
fantastic display of football from the team. They have a
month’s break now before the next game, when they’ll take on Cerība
for a 3rd and final time, hoping to make it 3 wins in-a-row.
Player of the Game: Marit Gjerde. For a second week running,
she has been the star player of the team. There was a
tireless energy from her in the game for the full 90 minutes, which
at points galvanised the team into action. The 2 goals and 1
assist to her name, were just rewards.