Vidar 3 Vard Haugesund 2

Norweigan Second Division Group Three, Saturday 24th May 2014

Today it was the third tier of Norweigan football I took a look at at the Lassa Idrettspark between local side Vidar and visitors Vard Haugesund, about two hours away from Stavanger.   On another glorious sunny day and another billard table of a pitch Vidar had the first chance when there big number 88 Geir Andre Herrem rose to head the ball towards goal but sadly it more hit his head than him header it and the ball went well wide.  Vard then had two decent chances themselves when first they dragged a shot wide of the far post and then a good moved ended with a effort stuck inches wide with the keeper beaten.  Then came a devastating 7 minute spell from the home side. First a penalty was awarded following a scramble inside Vard's box resulting in Geir Andre Herrem coverting the spot kick for 1-0 to Vidar after 24 minutes.   Three minutes later and it was 2-0 when after the Vard keeper had tipped an effort onto the bar and over for a corner, the resulting set piece was nodded home by Daniel Berntsen.  Just past the half hour mark it was 3-0 following another corner kick, which was headed back into the dangerzone before being nodded home from close range by Carl-Henrik Refvik.  Vard did have a couple of dangerous crosses into the box near the end of the half but these didn't test the keeper and Vidar went in 3-0 up the break and looking good.   Vard certainly came out with more purpose second half as Vidar sat back and were slow to get going second half.  Vard had a shot blocked by Vidar's defence and then a free kick sailed over the bar in another attack.  Vard made some changes and one of the subs Bubacarr Sumareh made an instant impact by bursting through and reducing the arrears to 3-1 just past the hour mark.   Vard continued to create the chances as Vidar just sat back inviting pressure on from the away side.  Vard forced a number of corners and from one of these they nearly scored but the header was wayward and then another chance when a cross into the six yard box was headed wide by Sumareh when he probably should of done better.   Vard continued to pile on the pressure and with five minutes of normal time left they got a penalty after the keeper fouled and Torbjorn Kallevag converted to make the last few minutes interesting indeed.  Vidar were hanging on for dear life and were just about rebuffing any Vard ball into the box.  Right near the end a cross from the right caused mass panic inside the Vidar six yard box but the keeper dived on top of the ball to snuff out any danger.  It was to Vidar's relief when the full time whistle sounded after nearly five minutes of stoppage time but Vidar take the points in a very entertaining match it has to be said.

Havorn 3 Midtbygdens 0

Norweigan Division Four, Group 14 Rogaland 2, Friday 23rd May 2014

I took a half hour walk to the Tananger Stadion from my Mum's house in Norway to take in a Norweigan Fifth Tier game between local side Havorn and Midtbygdens.   The game kicked off in pleasant conditions and Havord almost had the lead inside a minute when there 17 found himself in front of goal but he mis kicked the ball although it was still rolling in but the keeper scooped the ball away somehow.  The away side then had a decent spell but the two chances they did create didn't result it anything.  There after the home side started to dominate possession and created a couple of openings but either the keeper saved easily or it was off target.   Havord went in at the half in the ascendency although it was a very good competitive match. Two minutes into the second half they got the goal they deserved when persistence down the right resulted in a cross being turned in at the near post for a 1-0 scoreline. Just past the hour mark and it was 2-0 when a free kick was struck past the keeper at his nearpost, giving the home side some breathing space, although they hadn't been under much pressure.   Midtbygdens did have a five minute spell where they had two chances but poor finishing let them down.  Havord then had two great chances to kill the game, but first the keeper saved well and then the second chance came back off the post after an excellent run.  Four minutes from time however they made the game safe.  After 17 had hit a chance over the bar from the resulting goal kick was mis kicked to a Havord player duly dispatched it past the keeper for 3-0.  Havord were deserved winners this evening and the small crowd of about 30 odd went home happy.

Sandnes Ulf 0 Haugesund 0

Norweigan Tippeligaen, Tuesday 20th May 2014

So my second Tippeligaen match of the week took me to another 'Rogaland' derby as Sandnes Ulf and Haugesund did battle at the Sola Stadion.  Both teams needed the points and they both sat next to each other in the bottom two of the division so the winner would put a little bit of daylight between themselves.   On a very sunny evening both teams struggled to get going at all and the only noteworthy chances of a very poor first half were when Sandnes Ulf reacted quicker to a deflected effort towards goal which was prodded goalwards but the keeper Dalen saved with his legs, and then a few minutes before the break Haugesund's Gytkjaer broke into the box but his effort was too high and wide of the target.  Both teams only managed one effort on target each so the 0-0 half time scoreline wasn't entirely surprising to the 2,905 people who had attended.   To be fair it being a derby match and also a warm day and with a lot riding on the match, it wasn't entirely surprising that it was a tight, cagey affair.   Both teams came out with much more purpose second half and created a few more openings in the first ten minutes of the half then they had done in the whole game thus far.  Haugesund produced a good save from Sandnes stopper Halldorsson from outside the box before Sandnes got in behind the Haugesund defence but the ball across missed everyone.  Sandnes winger Tonne made a couple of good runs down the left hand side but these ultimately came to nothing.   Haugesund were limited to long range efforts which keeper Halldorsson was equal to every time.    Both teams did have goal scoring opportunities wasted, Sandnes again getting in behind a static Haugesund defence but yet again the final finish was poor.  Haugesund then got in down the right but the effort was way off target with Halldorsson having it covered in any case.  Neither keeper had very much to do if truth be told and it was one of the games where they could of played on till the next day and still not have scored.   It was a kind of relief when the referee blew for full time.  Not the best game I've ever seen and it's clear to see why these two are propping up the rest after ten rounds of action.  Both will need to find a goalscorer sooner rather than later if they are to make a fist of the fight for the remainder of the season.

Sola 4 Bryne II 1

Norweigan Third Division - Group Six, Monday 19th April 2014

This game was in the fourth tier of Norweigan Football as local side Sola took on Bryne II (basically Bryne's Reserves) at the very picturesque Sola Stadion.  Sola had started the season in reasonable fashion and had caused a major shock in the Norweigan Cup a month or so ago when beating local Elite side Sandnes Ulf 1-0.  Bryne II were struggling somewhat and found themselves joint bottom.  The game rather showed the league positions were correct as Sola stormed into 3-0 half time lead thanks to goals from Lennox Kanu, Morten Eriksen and a penalty from Tom Erik Maldal.  Sola continued to attack at will in the second half and added a fourth goal six minutes into the second period when Eriksen scored his second.  Bryne's first shot on target was a penalty past the hour mark resulting in Sola's Lunde receiving his marching orders for a second booking, and Bryne converted the penalty.  That was as good as it got for visitors as Sola continued to stream forward but failed to add to their tally but ran out 4-1 winners.  The crowd of around 50 would of enjoyed the performance as Sola played some cracking football, managed by Glaswegian Maurice Ross, once of Rangers,and his Glaswegian voice bellowing out orders at the back (he is player manager) was clear to hear above the rest of the field.  Not bad for free entry as well, something you would fail to ever see in the UK!!!  So a thoroughly enjoyable evening in the lovely late evening sunshine.