GFA League round-up: Week Two

In week two of the Gambia Football Association division one [top tier] league, Gambia Ports Authority drew their second consecutive league match yesterday after been held by Samger FC to a goalless draw at the Serrekunda east mini stadium.

Ports Authority, who were champions in 2010 were without Peter Bonu Johnson, who has left to take charge of the senior national squad started the game with the eagerness to move forward and created few scoring chances in the process but failed to utilize any.

In the face of this intense pressure, Samger defender Buba Bojang brought down GPA’s striker Cherno Njie in the penalty box 18 minutes into the game. Yafaye Jadama stepped up to take the spot kick for the ferry boys, but Samger’s shot-stopper Modou Jarjou alias Papis denied him from scoring.

Two minutes later, Hatab Badjie delivered a fantastic 25 yard free kick but Modou Jarjou again saved for Samger punching the ball over the cross bar.

The second half started as the first half, but this time round, Jane Joof’s lad started as the better side. They pushed their defenders up to support the midfielders and in the process won the possession much higher up the field.

Despite that huge pressure on them, GPA’s defense line remained compact and solid in all areas including one and one situations where Samger were very good.

Ten minutes before the end of the game, Samger’s star striker Lamin Samateh built up a good counter attack chance finding team mate Bakary Sambou unmarked in the near post but the star striker decided to shoot the ball on his own which he blasted over the cross bar wasting the brilliant chance.

Samger who opened their league campaign with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Steve Biko football club watched by their chairman and co-founder Harry Gerber were hoping to secure a first win of the season and even though they had a couple of decent half chances but failed to capitalize on them and will be happy with a point in the end.

In the day’s other game yesterday at the KG-5 mini-stadium in Banjul, newly-promoted boys Serrekunda United made an away trip to the capital to meet 2008 league champions Wallidan in an intriguing encounter.

Serrekunda United started being the brighter side in the opening minutes of the game but didn’t make good use of their chances. In the 28th minute, Serrekunda United’s Baboucarr Jallow had a chance to put his team ahead after Lamin Jassey’s cross from the left side of the pitch but Jallow couldn’t make contact with the ball.

It took Serrekund United 34 minutes to break the dead lock through Madi Fatty who scored through a defensive blunder between Wallidan’s Cherno Sarr and his goal-keeper Ansumana Samateh giving his side the 1-0 advantage heading into the break.

Wallidan’s Ousman Sillah came close to leveling matters for his team two minutes into the second period but couldn’t beat Modou Lamin Bittaye who was brilliant and steadfast at goal for Serrekunda United.

Serrekunda United increased their advantage in the 54th minute when another defensive blunder from the Wallidan defence allowed Madi Fatty to sneak in through with the ball to give his team the 2-0 advantage but it took Wallidan four minutes to pick themselves up and pull a goal back through striker Ousman Sillah who was set-up by his captain on the night George Cole.

Wallidan later on continued dominating with possession of the ball but all their chances weren’t utilized and Serrekunda United defenders stood their ground to hold on to their advantage.

Ten minutes from time, Wallidan’s George Cole had a brilliant effort to level matters for his team but could only watch as his shot was saved by Modou Lamin Bittaye.

Wallidan’s frustration prompted them to lose concentration and allowing Madi Fatty dinking the ball past Ansumana Samateh to score his first hat-trick of the season after being set-up by team-mate Lamin Sanyang. It ended 3-1 in favour of Serrekunda United.

Finally at the Independence stadium in Bakau, Bakau United were held to a goalless draw by Young Africans with both sides playing beautiful football. Abdou ceesay of Bakau United could have put his side ahead in the 26th minute of the game following his 18-yard shot but thanks to a wonderful punch by young African’s goalie Yusupha Camara who was brilliant at goal for his team. Fewer goal chances from both sides before the end of the first half but they failed to capitalize on any.