Monrovia – Poor finishing denied Barrack Young Controllers a victory against SuperSport United from South Africa in the Confederation of African Football Cup match at the famous Antoinette Tubman Stadium as right back Karleo Anderson missed a penalty in a feisty 1-1 on Sunday (April 9, 2017).
Report by Christopher C. Walker –[email protected]
BYC started the match in fascinating style with last season top goal scorer Mark Paye shot in the second minute of the match rolling off the goal post by inches to the dis belief of fans.
SuperSport United’s Muchal Morton shot was saved by the BYC goalkeeper Sambeh in the 4th minute.
A minute later Prince Saydee cut from the right side of United but his right foot shot was tip over the cross bar by the Supersports keeper Ronwen Williams.
With lots of pressure from the home fans BYC dominated the first ten minutes of the encounter with David Tweh three shots toward goal all off target.
Abdulai Bility who scored against Club Ferroviario De Beria 8 minutes header was tip over the post by Williams who produce several spectacular saves during the match.
Supersport got the match opener in the 11th minute from a Thuso Phala cross that beat the entire BYC defense as the unmark Fagri Latay score from close range.
The home side mounted pressure on the visitors with lot of long range shots from Karleo, Tweh, Paye and Gideon Williams all off target.
Randy Dukuly equalize for BYC in the 26 minutes with a powerful header, as Hilton Varney provided the assist for Dukuly.
BYC was awarded a penalty in the 33rd minute for a hand ball on Keegan Ritchie after prince Saydee cross hit Keegan hand in the penalty box the referee from Cape Verde pointed to the spot for a penalty and issued a yellow card to United the Left Back but to the dissatisfaction of spectators Karleo Anderson penalty was save by the United goalie Williams.
After the equalizer BYC brought in Sporo Somah for the injured Abdulai Bility in the 38th minute.
United counter attack was stop by Prince Jetoh who intercepted a dangerous ball from the skillful Thabo who try to connect Phala.
A minute to the end of the first half Mark Paye missed a clear opportunity to give the home side their second goal but his one on one ball was miscalculated as his ball roll off the post ending the first half 1-1.
Back from the dressing room SuperSport Michal Morton shot was again save by Allenton Sambeh of BYC.
Dukuly Shot from close range was beautifully saved by Williams after Saydee cross.
United made their first substitution in the 59 minute bringing on Jeremy Brookie for the goal Score Latay while Keengan who had a difficult match against Prince Saydee was replaced by Orismor Bhasera.
BYC had to withdraw Gideon Williams in the 66 minute for experience midfielder Sylvanus Morris who long ball to his attackers could have killed the game but Saydee one on one ball was saved by Williams while Dukuly and Paye balls were all denied in the second half.
Paye was replaced by Ketu Jerbo in the 79th minute but his introduction could not save his club from sharing the points with Supersport United as the game ended BYC 1 Supersport United 1.
BYC coach Copper Sannah made no excuses for his team’s lack of scoring but said they are working on it and will put up a good show in South Africa on April 19, 2107.
“What happened was that we played phenomenal in the first half and should have been winning 3-1 or 4-1 – then it ended up 1-1,” he told journalist at the post match press Conference.
“Who can I blame? Ourselves Nobody else; we missed big chances. We felt pressure of the clock running down and lost the quality of our attacking football.”
Sannah said “we are going into the second leg and its open now if they can come here and get an away goal we can do the same we will fight to qualify away just as we did in Mali”.
“United is a very good and experience team but we have played them and hope to make some major changes come the second leg the BYC coach said”.
Also Speaking Super Sports United Coach Stuat Baxter praise BYC and said they are going to South Africa to plan more for the young “Go Blue Boys”.
“The Coach of BYC is doing well with his team they are a great team with talent but we wait and see what happen in In South Africa”.
“We played well in defense because they attack us with everything which made it difficult for us to play but my guys did well I must appreciate them”.