Johvi FC Lokomotiv claimed a dramatic 3-2 away victory over Parnu JK Vaprus II in Esiliiga B on September 10, 2026, winning a five-goal contest that swung back and forth until the closing minutes. The result gave the visitors a valuable three points in the Estonian third tier and left the home side to reflect on a night when their attacking effort was not matched by defensive control.

Match overview

Played at Parnu’s home ground, the fixture quickly developed into an open, end-to-end game. Parnu JK Vaprus II wanted to use their reserve-team energy and quick passing to dictate possession, while Johvi FC Lokomotiv sat slightly deeper and looked to spring forward through the channels. That contrast shaped much of the match, with Vaprus II seeing more of the ball but Lokomotiv carrying the sharper edge in the final third.

The opening exchanges set the tone. Johvi pressed high enough to disrupt Parnu’s build-up, then broke with purpose whenever they won the ball in midfield. Parnu responded well after falling behind, equalising through a well-worked move, but they were never able to fully suppress Lokomotiv’s counter-attacking threat.

Key moments

• 14th minute: Johvi FC Lokomotiv took the lead when Artjom Ivanov finished a quick transition, slotting the ball low past the goalkeeper after a neat through pass.
• 22nd minute: Parnu JK Vaprus II levelled through Rasmus Kallas, who arrived late in the box to convert a cross from the right.
• 54th minute: Lokomotiv restored their advantage when Deniss Kuznetsov struck from the edge of the area after a half-cleared corner.
• 67th minute: Parnu responded again, Markus Tamm finishing from close range after sustained pressure and a scramble in the penalty box.
• 88th minute: The decisive moment arrived late. Maksim Orlov latched onto a loose ball, drove into space and beat the goalkeeper to make it 3-2 and seal the away win.

Tactical story

Johvi FC Lokomotiv’s 4-2-3-1 shape was designed to absorb pressure and attack quickly. Their two holding midfielders protected the centre-backs, while the wide players stretched Parnu’s full-backs and created room for late runs into the box. It was not a perfect defensive display, but it was an effective one in the moments that mattered.

Parnu JK Vaprus II used a more patient possession approach, often building from the back and trying to overload the midfield. They created enough chances to take something from the match, but their final ball was inconsistent and they left too much space behind their full-backs. Against a side as direct as Lokomotiv, those gaps proved costly.

Standout players

Artjom Ivanov set the tone for Johvi with the opening goal and constant movement between the lines. Maksim Orlov, the late match-winner, was arguably the most dangerous player on the pitch in the final 20 minutes. Deniss Kuznetsov also impressed with his energy and ability to arrive in scoring positions from midfield.

For Parnu JK Vaprus II, Rasmus Kallas and Markus Tamm were the bright spots. Kallas linked play well and took his goal confidently, while Tamm’s persistence in the box earned his side a second equaliser. Their goalkeeper made several important saves to keep the match alive until the closing stages.

Table and season impact

The win strengthens Johvi FC Lokomotiv’s position in the Esiliiga B mid-table and keeps them within touching distance of the teams pushing for a higher finish. For Parnu JK Vaprus II, the defeat is a reminder that reserve-team football can be unpredictable: development remains the priority, but dropping points at home after scoring twice will still sting.

With the season moving into its decisive phase, both clubs will take lessons from this match. Lokomotiv proved they can win away in a high-scoring game, while Vaprus II showed attacking promise but will need greater defensive discipline if they are to turn performances into consistent results.