Semjonov sparks Trans charge

By Margus Luik

FC Levadia Tallinn remain on course for the Estonian title, but it is JK Trans Narva who have been catching the eye after an exceptional run of form in the Meistriliiga. First Trans beat title-holders FC Flora Tallinn, then bettered that by handing Levadia their first defeat of the season, both wins coming away from home.

Bondarenko momentum
Trans are unbeaten in six games, but it is the victories over Levadia and Flora in their past two matches under new coach Valeri Bondarenko that have caught the nation's attention. Against Flora, Trans fell behind early on, but recovered to win 3-1 with summer-signing Anton Semjonov scoring twice. Then last Saturday in Tallinn, Trans won the tactical battle against Levadia and outplayed the leaders to win 1-0.

Semjonov winner
The only goal of the game came in added time moments after Levadia's Vitoldas Cepauskas had been sent off for dissent. Oleg Kurotškin's long ball forward from the resulting free-kick was flicked on by Dmitri Lipartov and then headed in by the unmarked Semjonov. Incredibly, it was the fourth time this season that Trans had picked up points in added time; twice they have come from behind to rescue a draw and for the second time on Saturday they won in added time.

Flora crisis
Trans's run of success is in stark contrast to the air of crisis that has engulfed Flora over the same period. A week after losing to Trans, coach Arno Pijpers was informed that his contract would not be renewed at the end of the season. Then an already bad week hit a new low with a shocking home defeat by JK Tulevik Viljandi on Sunday. Rain Tölpus scored his first Meistriliiga goal in the third minute of added time to ensure Tulevik beat Flora for only the third time in 33 meetings and for the first time since 1999.

Title battle
Flora had previously not lost two consecutive matches since 2000, and they have now fallen seven points behind Levadia, who have a game in hand - a derby against FC TVMK Tallinn. TVMK, in third, have cut the gap on the leaders to four points and, given Levadia's poor form, a tight fight for the title looks assured.

Lootus despair
At the bottom, FC Lootus Alutaguse are breaking records for all the wrong reasons. Their 2-0 defeat by FC Valga on Sunday was their 20th loss of the season. Lootus have now gone 17 matches without a win, lost eleven successive games and failed to score in six - all club records.