By HENRY MORABANG
FLANKER Benjamin Mela played a starring role to help Hekari United thrash a depleted young Besta Madang Fighters side 6-nil in the Telikom-sponsored National Soccer League (NSL) match in Port Moresby last Saturday.
The Solomon Islander opened the scorebook for Hekari five minutes into the game with a brilliant penalty which deflected from Madang Figthers goalkeeper Shane Samuga’s hand into the net.
Mela played a good flankers role by crossing balls for his strikers Kema Jack, Abraham Iniga and midfielder Eric Komeng plus David Muta to score goals.
Fifteen minutes later, Kema Jack scored the second goal in his usual trademark to lead 2-nil before Andrew Lepani sliced a good cross from Mela to put Hekari in front by 3 goals to nil.
Madang Fox were no way in the game, despite the presence of Andrew Apo from Welgris Highlander, who partnered skipper and striker Hanz Niel. Hekari United were never under any threat.
Kema collected his second goal for the afternoon to cushion lead 4-nil leading towards the break.
In the second half, Fighters started to mount pressure on Hekari but their efforts were in vain as their attacking option was very poor.
Fullback Jacob Pekau scored the fifth goal in the 15th minute of the second half when he collected a lose ball to blast pass Samuga.
Five minutes later, Kema scored his hattrick of goals after a nice set from Mela to win the game.
Hekari United started to move the ball around reserving their energy for next week’s game.
Madang Fighters experience players Robin Malwak until replaced. Hanz Apo and veteran John Panu tried their very best but were no match for the much fitter Hekari United team.
It is understood that assistant coach Bonny Pongo was disappointed with the result and the overall performance of his team.
Hekari United 17, Morobe Kumuls 16, Inspac Rapatona 15, Gelle Hills 12, Welgris Highlander 7, Besta Madang Fighters 4 and Madang Fox 1
Next week’s draw: Inspac Rapatona to play Madang Fox at Telikom Park, Welgris Highlander to take on Tutuba Laitepo Blue Kumuls in Goroka and Besta Fighters to play Gelle Hills in Madang.