Gam-Finnish wrap: Jagne's Mariehamn held, Jammeh stroll to win while defeat for Savage

Gambian Saihou Jagne saw 52 minutes of play for his Finnish side IFK Mariehamn on Sunday, helping the team hold a scoreless draw against Demba Savage’s former team FC Honka.

While the game was far from devoid of chances, both teams were largely wasteful with their opportunities on the attacking end. In the dying moments, Mariehamn perhaps felt themselves the victims of referee Ville Nevalainen’s discretion when they had three penalty shouts turned down in rapid succession.

First, Aleksei Kangaskolkka was apparently toppled in the penalty area, with the referee waving to play on, then seconds later both Marcus Olofsson and Kristian Kojola went down under contact in rapid succession, although their complaints were ignored.

With the point, Saihou Jagne’s Mariehamn now sit in the middle of the Veikkausliiga standings in seventh after four games, and will be back in action on Saturday with a visit to Vaasa to face Vaasan Palloseura [VPS].

At the Saviniemen jalkapallostadion, Demba Savage played the full 90 minutes for Finnish Champions HJK Helsinki but couldn’t help his team as they were defeated by a goal to nil by Myllykosken Pallo [MyPa].

Pekka Sihvola’s striker in the 92nd minute was enough to give the host’s the winner. With the defeat, Savage and his HJK lie fifth in the Veikkausliiga table with six points. They will travel to Kuopio next to face Kuopion Palloseura [KuPS].

In the Finnish Ykkönen [second tier], former Gambia U-20 captain Ken Malamin Jammeh started and played 75 minutes for FC KooTeePee as they started their season perfectly with a shut-out road win over HIFK Helsinki.

KooTeePee took the lead over their hosts in the 29th minute when Johannes Laaksonen fed Juho Nykänen into the area for an easy finish, then added a second in the 53rd as Erkka Lansimies put away a corner.

Still elated from their midweek cup win over top-flight leaders Inter Turku, the team made everything certain with three minutes left in regulation as Samuli Kaivonurmi netted for the final 3-0 score.

Ken Jammeh and his teammates will be back in action for their home opener on Saturday, hosting Oulun Palloseura [OPS].