Jonté Smith, the Bermuda striker, continued his rich vein of form by firing in a brace to help Kemi Kings to a 2-1 victory at home against OPS at the weekend.

Smith, converted in the 51st and 62nd minutes to cancel out the visiting side’s lead and extend his season tally to 21.

OPS took the lead from the penalty spot in the 24th minute.

But Smith added parity to the scoreline shortly after the break with a powerful header at the near post after getting on the end of a precision cross from the left.

Smith then secured the points eleven minutes later when he volleyed home from just inside the box after being picked out by a diagonal pass from midfield.

Smith’s double salvo earned Kings their eighteenth victory of the season and, more importantly, extended their lead at the top the Finnish Kakkonen North League to five points over nearest rivals YPA.

“I was glad I was able to take my chances when they came, it was such an important game for us,” Smith said. “I was extremely happy to get the two goals to win the game for us.

“Going down 1-0 by half-time wasn’t the ideal situation. But we knew what was at stake and came out ready to get back into the game quickly.

“We started to play at a higher tempo with a more direct style of play and they weren’t able to cope with it.”

The win inched Kings closer to a place in the promotion play-offs. But Smith is quick to point out that there is still more work to be done, especially with a game still to play against second-placed YPA in their remaining three fixtures.

“Being five points clear is always a good feeling,” Smith added. “But we have three tough games left as well as a game against the team right behind us. We can’t take anything for granted.”