MONROVIA – Central Monrovia-based First Division outfit Down Town FC suffered a significant setback in their battle against the drop, falling 2-0 to Watanga FC on Saturday, February 21, at the Tusa field in Gardnerville.
By A. Macaulay Sombai
The defeat leaves Down Town FC languishing in 13th place on the Liberia Football Association (LFA) First Division table, managing only 15 points from 17 matches.
Conversely, the victory allows Watanga to solidify their hold on third place, moving to 35 points from 17 games.
The result further complicates Down Town’s survival hopes as the club continues to struggle with consistency and a lack of clinical finishing in front of goal.
Captain Takes Responsibility
Speaking after the match, Down Town captain Wilson K. Jackson admitted the team’s shortcomings, citing poor ball retention and a lack of composure in the final third.
“We as players of Down Town FC are responsible for this defeat,” Jackson admitted.
“We failed to engage our opponents with better ball possession or create meaningful shots on target. At this level, you cannot win if you don’t find the finishing touches.”
Jackson acknowledged that the “Paynesville Boys” (Watanga) dictated the tempo of the game and capitalized on their spells of dominance.
“Our opponents were superior on the ball today. They maintained more possession and were much more efficient in the box, which ultimately resulted in the two goals,” he added.
The Fight for Survival
With the league entering its business end, Jackson emphasized that the club’s primary objective is now singular: avoiding relegation to the Second Division.
Despite the grim outlook, the skipper urged his teammates to remain resilient for the remaining fixtures.
“I am calling on my fellow players not to give up. We must do our best to secure wins or at least draws in our remaining games. That is the only way we will maintain our First Division status in Liberian football,” Jackson noted.
He warned that the margin for error has disappeared, stating that any further slip-ups could seal the club’s fate.
For Down Town FC, the road ahead remains uphill, and every remaining matchday will be treated as a final in their quest to stay in the top flight.
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