Bara, Sepik eye 2nd place

By LARRY ANDREW
OUTRIGHT second spot in the Women’s National Soccer League’s Northern Conference will be up grabs when Lae’s Bara FC take on northerners Sepik FC tomorrow in the match of the round at the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.
The Morobe capital will host a WNSL double-header, with the first game between Morobe Tulips and Markham Raings at 11am followed by the Bara-Sepik fixture at 3pm.
Bara are expected to come back strongly after losing to Tusbab Laidamon in Madang last week however the Sepik women, most of whom are Lae-based, will be up for the challenge.
Bara’s Charlie Banzeck, Eunice Nabalu, and Hirata Tomaing will need to lift their efforts if they are to derail the Sepik express. Veteran midfielder Gethrude Waninara and Sara Lucas will be relied on to distribute the ball efficiently while defenders Koru Somi, Alison Paulius, Leah Banabas and Bothilda Goroba, who were good last week, will need to rise another level to keep out Sepik’s danger women Sharlyn Jagi, Juanneth Mistera and Leuvennah Karo.
Under coach Gorden Torovu, Sepik have made strides surprising many with their competitive style and energy and could well extend Bara’s misery if not countered effectively.
In the other matches, Rainy Lae travel to the heart of Nokondi land to try to wrest the points from home side Pacific Gardens, and Poro will be tested by conditions in Madang when they face off against Laidamon. Given that Rainy Lae is essentially a development squad comprising young talent their road trip could be more valuable as a learning experience more so than a raid.
As for Northern Conference top side Poro, their road trip will serve as a great test of their mettle as a championship outfit able to win in different conditions.
Poro coach Troy Gunemba, who knows what it is like playing in Madang as the visitor, will have laid down a plan to control the game and come away with the win.