Monrovia- The Liberia Football Association National league is getting interesting by the day in both the first and second Division championship race.
It was a busy weekend of local football action with some surprising results.
By: Christopher C. Walker 0777898224/0886723075 [email protected]
In the Second Division league title favourites on the book Global Pharma Football Club closed the gap on NPA Anchors at the top of the table to four points after beating Margibi FC 2-0 on Saturday February 19,2023.
Randy Dukuly and substitute Amadiah Kawah struck in both halves at the Tusa Field in Gardnersville for the Pharmacists to denied the Gibi boys a double victory over the host.
The victory came at the right time for Global Pharma following Black Man Warriors and NPA Anchors 1-1 draw in the early kick off at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium in central Monrovia.
Lawrence Wilson had the chance to put Global Pharma ahead in l 5th minute but missed a free header after a decent cross from Joseph Nimely and James Richardson also blew away a one on one opportunity when he was put through by Randy Dukuly in the 10th minute.
The host kept on knocking on the visitors door for the match opener but Morlik Keita prove too strong between the sticks as he save Benjamin Sarkoh effort in the 13th minute to the disbelief of the attacker.
Margibi FC later had a fight of their own but could not hit the target after coming close in several attempts.
Emmanuel Toe of Global Pharma came in to action twice from close range but stood his ground to denied Margibi FC.
When Marvin Blapoh taught he was on the score sheet in the 37th minute his shot from 20 yard rolled an inch from goal.
Talented Global Pharma midfielder Oliver Sekey 38th minute powerful shot was saved by Keita who was the main obstacle for Global Pharma.
Five minutes to the end of the first half Randy Dukuly got the match opener with a powerful header after Joseph Nimely excellent cross.
Margibi FC fought to leveled things before the end of the first had but Global Pharma back line stood tall ending the half 1-0.
Back from the break Margibi came close to getting the equalizer in the 51st minute as they missed a free header but just before their misfortune Dukuly missed another clear opportunity.
The visitors were the better side in the second half but couldn’t break the defence of Global Pharma.
Substitute Amadiah Kawah double the Pharmacists lead in the 86 minute with a cool finish to put the game to bed in favour of Global Pharma who secure a 2-0 win.
Global Pharma has collected 37 points from 18 matches while league leaders NPA Anchors now have 41 points after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Black Man Warriors
In the reverse fixture Margibi FC defeated Global Pharma 2-1.
Elsewhere Paynesville FC moved in third place ahead of PAGS on goal difference at least for 24 hours after a 4-1 win over Gardnersville at Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex practice pitch.
Emmanuel Kaykay Nimba FC secure a hard fought 1-0 victory over LIFE FC in the early kickoff at the Tusa afield, while 10 men Tony FC were forced to a1-1 draw by NPA Sinoe.
In the first division the Church boys of Jubilee FC came from goal down to force league leaders FC BEA Mountain to a 1-1 draw at the ATS.
Ezekiel Koon sealed a point for Jubilee FC in the 89th-minute.
Jubilee are exerting every effort to stay out of the relegation zone as the league season gradually draws to a close.
Nimba Kwado and Cece United had a shard of the points in goalless draw at the ATS.
The second half was tightly contested like the first as both teams created clear-cut chances, but none of those chances led to a goal.
Meanwhile Freeport FC earned all three points against Muscat FC at the ATS thanks to a pivotal 60th minute goal from Derrick Weah. After trailing 1-0 at the half time Muscat was unable to make a difference in the game’s second half.
In Kakata, Sandi FC moved a step up in the standings after a 1-0 home victory over Nimba United courtesy of Josiah Weah’s lone goal.