Stjarnan saw off ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar 2-0 in the Úrvalsdeild Relegation Group on Saturday. The hosts took all three points at home, closing the gap on the teams above them while extending ÍBV's downward slide.
And here's the thing about this one — the match turned on minute twenty-eight. B. Waren struck first, then doubled his tally four minutes later. By then ÍBV were already chasing shadows, and the home side never looked back.
Yellow cards came thick and fast for both sides. A. Kristinsson and G. Nokkvason picked them up in the first half, while G. Kristjansson, A. Linta and E. Runarsson all ended up in the book. The game grew scrappy, but Stjarnan held their nerve.
We called a home win beforehand, though only at fifty per cent confidence. To be fair, ÍBV controlled territory and had more attacks, but Stjarnan's efficiency told. They turned possession into something sharper when it mattered.
The numbers back that up. ÍBV held 58 per cent possession and launched 165 attacks compared with Stjarnan's 102. Yet the visitors registered five shots on target for nothing, while the hosts hit three and scored twice. Chances went begging for the away side.
Stjarnan sit top of the table on 31 points from 23 games. ÍBV remain sixth on 18 points. The two sides drew 2-2 in their first meeting on September 6th, and this time it was Stjarnan who took the points.