GFA League match report

Two of the promoted teams in Gambian topflight football - Serrekunda United and Hawks on Wednesday drew level in their first game of the 2011/2012 GFA league season at Brikama mini-stadium.

Hawks, who met their relegation to the second division in the 2009/2010 GFA League season bounced back to the first division this year after winning the second division league season while Serrekunda United are debutants in Gambian topflight football.

The two sides met twice in the second division league last season with none of the sides managing to win in either of the meetings after playing out a 2-2 draw in the first round and 1-11 in the second round of last their last year’s fixtures.

It seems like these two teams shared the same strength as they drew again 1-1 at the box bar mini-stadium in Brikama. Hawks were not in shortage of experienced players as they had the likes of Robert Badjie [former Hakoah Amidar Ramat Gan F.C and Hapoel Jerusalem F.C and Gambia goal-keeper], their captain Pierre Gomez is a former Gambia U-20 defender and Modou Jagne [former SC Rheindorf Altach and SK Austria Kärnten striker] in the their team.

Despite the number of experience players in their side, their fellow newcomers Serrekunda United started the better side but failed to create any clear court chance and it was not until in the 43rd minute when Yusupha Jones had a clear court chance but could only watch his shot hit the cross bar.

Hawks came into the second half introducing some fresh legs with Bakary Sambou been subbed out for Alpha Sidibeh. Hawks’ changes paid dividend as substitute Alpha Sidibeh put them ahead after nicely tapping in the ball.

However, Hawks’ lead didn’t last long as Madi Fatty scored the leveler for Serrekunda United, seven minutes after Sidibeh’s goal. Several chances were created by both teams but none were able to capitalize in those chances and it ended 1-1 at full time.

In Wednesday’s other game, one of last season’s struggling teams Steve Biko also registered their first win in this year’s league campaign after they sealed victory against Samger through Sainey Ceesay’s lone goal.

Both teams started the game brightly but Steve Biko went into the dressing room having the 1-0 advantage.

Former Toronto FC defender Emmanuel Gomez’s defensive blunder gave Biko’s Sainey Ceesay the opportunity to put his side ahead.

Samger came into the second period hoping to draw level but Biko held on to their 1-0 advantage to seal victory for themselves and head into the 2011/2012 season collecting maximum points.

Games resume today Friday 20th 2012 with Super Cup winners Gamtel taking on 2010/2011 league winners Brikama United at the Banjul KG5 mini-stadium and Bakau United taking on Gambia Ports Authority [GPA] at the Serrekunda East mini-stadium.