JDFS Alberts took on Riga II in the sixteenth round of the First League on Saturday, and went through to claim a 2:0 win. The hosts had already been sitting in fifth place before kick-off, and the result keeps them there with 37 points from 19 games. Riga II remain eighth on 24 points.
Alberts controlled the tempo for long stretches, though Riga II dug in when it mattered. The breakthrough came in the second half when D. Indrans found space in the box and finished coolly at the 53rd minute. To be fair, Riga II created a few openings but lacked the composure to test their goalkeeper properly.
By then the home side had settled into a comfortable rhythm, and Riga II found themselves chasing the game more often than not. Alberts stayed compact in midfield, which limited the visitors' ability to string passes together. The away side's recent form had shown flashes of promise, but this afternoon they could not quite find a way through.
Alberts have now gone three matches without defeat, with results including a 1:1 draw against Tuukums II on August 3rd and a 3:1 victory over YuEfZheKa Ventspils on July 18th. Riga II's last fixture ended in a 2:2 draw with Metta / Luxembourg on August 1st, and before that they suffered a 0:3 defeat to Valmiera / BSS.
The gap between the two sides in the table remains 13 points, and Alberts' defensive solidity continues to be their strongest asset. They have conceded just four goals in their last five matches combined, while Riga II have let in nine in the same span. The result means Alberts keep their sights on the top half, while Riga II must now focus on closing the distance.