By SAMPSON BONAI
THE home crowd at Lae Football Association park was given a sour Christmas pudding when Tuguba Laitepo Morobe Kumuls were toppled 1-0 by big city visitor Gelle Hills on Saturday.
The frenzied crowd held their chests with abated breath when in the 30th minute, Gelle Hills skipper Nathan Vincent crossed to flanker Eric Willie to set up stopper Jerry Masalo.
When Masalo slammed home the agonising goal, the common hope of the crowd was set asunder. The echoes of their pain could be heard as far as Erikuís Niall Reserve.
The win knocks off Kumuls from the top rung leaving Hills the leader going into the New Year.
Gelle Hills trainer Raymond Nasa who stood in for coach Wesley Waiwai couldnít believe his win. He was in awe of his teamís defensive effort.
ìWe had to withstand a strong challenge from the home team with their home crowd support to hold on to beat Kumuls and I want to thank all the players for their courageous effort to hold on and defend strongly in the dying minutes of the game despite a strong second half come back from Kumuls to win,î Nasa said.
Morobe Kumuls coach Max Foster said they failed to capitalise on their mistakes and penetrate the defensive line.
ìWe gave away a few of our scoring opportunities and allowed our opponents to capitalise on our weakness in providing strong cover defence to penetrate into our territory to score. We will brush up on our weakness during training to prepare for round two,î Foster said.
Skipper Vincent put on a superb performance from the first whistle and led his charges of sweeper Tau Nius, Kavoe Mante, Leana Geno and kept feeding strikers Desmond Sow and Tau Winnie with many good chances up front.
Morobe Kumuls could not find the winning combination with strikers Richard Daniels and Raymond Gunemba despite the tireless efforts from Billy Namuesh, Cyril Muta and Ken Gule to create opportunities.
Hills realised its weakness and kept using the midfielders for captain Vincent to bombarded Kumuls the territory.
Kumuls fought back strongly with Gunemba, Wate and Namuesh brothers Richard and Billy kept pounding at Hills for an equaliser but Hills backs Enos Iamoa and Junior Mario kept a tight lid in the defensive line and to deny any chances.