Estonia round-up: TVMK Tallinn's title hopes fade

Last season's Estonian Meistriliiga runners-up FC TVMK Tallinn have virtually dropped out of the title race after losing 4-0 against FC Levadia Maardu in the latest round of matches.

Eight points adrift
FC TVMK are now eight points behind leaders FC Flora with nine rounds to go leaving the fight for the title now looking like a straight fight between Flora and FC Levadia Maardu.
 
Arbeiter opener
The 4-0 win was sweet revenge for Levadia's 6-0 defeat in June against FC TVMK. Levadia went ahead in the 18th minute when Vladimir Tselnokov's pass from the right flank was well met by former international Argo Arbeiter.
 
Three more goals
On 67 minutes Levadia doubled their lead when Eduard Ratnikov hit a powerful shot from 20 metres past Sergei Ussoltsev in the FC TVMK goal. Four minutes later Vitali Leitan was fouled in the penalty area and Maksim Rõtskov converted the spot kick. Leitan got on the scoresheet himself a minute before time, surprising Ussoltsev with a great run and a shot that went in via the post.

Flora leave it late
On Sunday, Flora were forced to fight hard for three points against sixth-placed FC Lootus Kohtla-Järve. It was Norwegian midfield player Glenn Atle Larsen who saved the champions' blushes, hitting the only goal of the game with just two minutes remaining. Larsen had come on as a substitute just nine minutes earlier in place of compatriot Tor Henning Hamre, who failed to score for the first time in last five matches.
 
Trans move into third
JK Trans Narva showed the loss of three key players this summer has not affected their fighting spirit as they came from 1-0 down at half-time to beat JK Tulevik Viljandi 2-1. Dmitri Ustritski scored his 13th of the season to give the hosts the lead, but Anton Sereda and Maksim Gruznov - with his 16th of the season - turned the game around in the second half. The win pushed Trans into third place.
 
Fenin double
To complete a disastrous day for home teams, FC Levadia Pärnu lost 2-1 to FC Levadia Tallinn, despite leading at half-time after a goal from Leino Lõnsu. Ukrainian striker Yuriy Fenin scored both goals for the visitors, first from the penalty spot in the 74th minute and then the winner in the second minute of stoppage time.