BANGING on the door of national selection, 26-year-old Jamaican player Steven Morrissey struck twice for VPS to edge Haka, 2-1, in the Finnish Premier Division on Sunday in Hietalahti, Vaasa.

Morrissey is now the top goalscorer in the Veikkausliiga with 11 goals (and two assists) from 17 matches. He is now averaging a goal every 126 minutes, enhanced by two braces and a hat-trick.

A Portmore United player, Morrissey got on the scoresheet in the opening minute and doubled the advantage in the 23rd from an assist by fellow striker Robin Lod.

Jonne Hjelm secured his second goal of the season when he reduced the deficit for Haka in the 39th. But with no goals in the second half, VPS held on for victory to move up to fifth place with 33 points.

Haka fell to 11th place in the 12-team competition with 22 points, two ahead of cellar team Jaro.

On the heels of Morrissey are three players with 10 goals — Nigerian Babatunde Wusu of JJK, Georgian Irakli Sirbiladze of Inter Turku and Hungarian Tamás Gruborovics, also of JJK.

VPS, short for Vaasan Palloseura, which include another Jamaican in their line-up, O’Brian Woodbine, will next take on seventh-placed Honka (32 points) next Monday at Tapiolan Urheilupuisto in Espoo at 10:30 am Jamaican time.

Morrissey has already scored twice in five appearances against Honka who, however, hold the advantage in head-to-head clashes with VPS.

Honka have won nine of their last 16 matches, drawing five and losing only two. VPS will have the psychological advantage, having beaten them in their last encounter on June 20 when Morrissey netted in the 44th and 90th minutes.

The Jamaican’s performance stood out all the more this season as he scored the opening goals in six matches and the winning goals in four matches in the top-flight division in Finland, one of the top 32 leagues in Europe.