Monrovia – Obediah Freeman stole the headline as his brilliant strike in the 84th minute condemned LISCR FC to their first defeat in the opening of fixture in the Liberia Football Association (LFA) National League.
Report by Jaheim Tumu – [email protected]
The Shipping Boys who were beaten in the Super Cup by Barrack Young Controller (BYC), began the match in an attacking fashion, but Sam Kollie missed a fine chance in the 6th minute to put his side ahead after a poor defensing from NPA Anchors.
NPA Anchors, who are also referred to as ‘The Port Boys,’ could hardly threaten LISCR defense and looked breakable in midfield as they struggled to settle down in the first-half.
LISCR press on for an opener and it was Edward Ledlum who almost found the breakthrough but his curving effort was prevented by goalkeeper Joshua Williams in the 32rd minute.
But the Anchors showed an intermittent threat at the other end with Lamie Madave finding space between the lines and goalkeeper Ashley Williams was forced to come off his line to allow Dad Kollie to strike off target in the 35th minute.
Christopher Jackson had a chance for the Shipping Boys in the 39th minute when his shot was brilliantly kept out by goalkeeper J. Williams after Ledlum’s cross.
The teams continued after the interval as the game remained open but with neither side unable to find a clear opening, LISCR FC’s coach Tapha Manneh brought on Amadiam Kawah and Prince Urey in an attempt to enforce his’s attacks.
The visitors found their tempo and threatened on the break as Mark Quaquai’s cross found Madava, whose wonderful header was comfortably saved by goalkeeper A. Williams in the 56th minute.
Three minutes later, the Port Boys almost found the opener through D. Kollie’s fabulous effort down the right hand post that forced A. William to palm out for a corner.
The home side looked as though they would raise their level after the Port Boys’ spell as Amadian Kawah and Ledlum combining well before Kawah fired his shot but goalkeeper J. Williams turned it away for corner in the 67th minute.
However, it was no surprise that the impressive D. Kollie was the architect when the goal finally came. The forward sprayed a cute pass through the LISCR’s defense for Freeman to fire over the helpless A. Williams in the 84th minute
The Port Boys’ lead was deserved from their spirited display and while the Shipping Boys continued to attack for an equalizer, they found a solid NPA Anchors defense.
Meanwhile, Watanga FC was a deserved winner in their 3-1 away victory over Small Town.
Elijah Clarke returned to the league after a season out and found the league first goal inside 6th minute from Dennis Wesseh through pass before Farsedu Logan utilized a defensive error from Saah Harris in the 19th minute. Logan grabbed his second and Watanga’s third after a brilliant Emmanuel Harris’ move.
But Small Town scored a consolation through Praise Tweh in the 84th minute from Friendson Saydenuh’s pass.
At the Blue Field triple champions Barrack Young Controller continued their excellent form with a 4-2 victory over Keitrace FC.
The visitors got the match opener in the 26th minute with Nicholas Blapoh’s fanatic free kick but Trokon Myers got the equalizer for BYC in the 35th minute with a header after Samir Kamara’s Cross.
Abdulai Bility gave BYC the lead in the 44th minute after a rebound from Samir’s free kick to end the first half 2-1 to the champions.
After the break, Samir Kamara added his name to the score sheet while Bility completed his brace from a close range. But Keitrace pulled a goal back in the 90th minute to end the game 4-2 to BYC.