Margibi County – Defending Liberia Football Association (LFA) Cup champions, Barrack Young Controller, beat 2nd Division outfit Tony FC on penalties in the FA Cup second round to advance to the third round of the competition.
Report by Christopher C. Walker 00231777898224 / 00231886723075 [email protected]
The home said Tony FC approached the match very physical as BYC struggled to control the game but had three attempts on target in the first half.
Blues keeper Alpha Jalloh saved three of Tony FC’s penalties from Fredrick Dennis, Emmanuel Logan and substitute Jefferson Yarkeh while Mohammed Varney missed BYC’s only kick of the shootout.
Mustapha Lomell came close to giving BYC the lead after three minutes of play but his shot was saved by Emmanuel Henry.
Mohammed Varney’s, making his debut for the Go Blue Boys, header went over the cross bar after Samir Kamara’s cross from the right flank.
Former BYC II winger David Paye successfully broke through the BYC defense from the right wing but his final shot came rolling across goal in the 7th minute.
Jalloh, who was responsible for the penalty conceded by the Champions, made a one-on-one save against Paye in the 16th minute to the disbelief of the cheering home fans.
It was a scaring moment for BYC in the 22nd minute as Fredrick Dennis came close to opening the score but his ball rolled few inches from goal.
Emmanuel Karwon gave Tony FC the lead in the 27th minute after a reckless foul on Emmanuel Logan by Jalloh in the box 25th minute on the clock.
Varney’s header was saved in the 32nd minute while Jalloh produced another fantastic one-on-one save from Karwon in the 37th minute.
Tony FC’s keeper Emmanuel Henry made a beautiful save from Varney’s free kick for a corner kick as Teah Dennis’ header traveled over the cross bar.
BYC after the break mounted more pressure to get the equalizer as the introduction of Jeremy Saygbe and Fallah Sherriff for the visitors saw them taking complete authority of the match.
Debutant Mohammed Varney tip home Saygbe’s cross in 66 minute to force the match to a penalty shootout.
Both teams had few chances to increase their lead but did not materialize on them as the game ended 1-1 at the Unification Town Sports pitch in Lower Margibi County.
BYC went on to be victorious from the spot on 3-2.
In the second match at the same venue in the FA Cup, another Margibi County-based club, Mighty Blue Angels were knocked out of the competition 1-0 by their Second Division Counterpart Samira FC.
At the Antoinette Tubman Stadium, LPRC Oilers defeated third Division side Jabu FC 2-1 while Monrovia Club Breweries recorded a 1-0 victory over Jubilee FC.
In Ganta City, Nimba County, Nimba FC lost to Keitrace FC 2-1; in Kakata, City Margibi County last beaten finalist LISCR FC destroyed Sandi FC 5-1 with Christopher Jackson getting all five goals for the shipping Boys.
Mighty Barrolle convincingly got past Freeport FC 2-0 in Buchanan City Grand Bassa County
The draw for the next round of matches will be held later next week.