City top Northern ladder

DEFENDING champions Lae City wrapped up the 2022 Northern conference National Soccer League competition claiming the minor premiership with a clean record of nine wins and a draw.
On Saturday, the Bob Morris coached outfit ended the regular rounds with a convincing 7-0 win over Lahi FC in the main fixture of the round 10 triple header at the Papua New Guinea Football Association Education Centre at 11-Mile outside Lae.
In the other matches, Tusbab Stallions defeated Lae Natives 5-3 and Morobe Wawens drew with Lae City Dwellers 1-1.
The washout match between Wawens and Stallions yesterday ended in 3-3 stalemate.
Morris told The National that the team were inconsistent with their performance throughout the season, conceding nine goals.
“We had seven new boys in the team and they needed to build confidence and build good relationship and combination in play,” Morris said.
“I am happy that we wrapped up the minor premiership with nine wins and a draw.
“There is a lot of things to do especially our defensive part of the game as I have a list of injured players.
“Alwin Komolong played a game today before the finals. In the last two games, he was on the bench as the intensity of the game was so high, I didn’t want to risk him.
“Komolong played in the last 15 minutes and I am happy that he is back.
City opened the scoring spree with Albert Morgan Jr scoring the first goal off a deflect from the Lahi goalkeeper followed by Jonathan Allen scoring the first of his hat-trick and Obert Bika netting the third to lead 3-0 into the break.
The second half was all City despite Lahi mounting pressure on the defending champions.
A goal each from captain Emmanuel Simon and substitute Bruce Tiampo and a double from Allen sealed the match 7-0.
“In 2020 we had a record of two draws and all wins and last year with all wins and a draw,” Morris said.
“This is a good performance indicator so far but going into the finals. I’ll work on our weakness and build on intensity from there.”
Results – Sat, Nov 19: (Southern) Hekari United 3 Central Amoana 1, Genesis 1 NCD Souths 1, Gulf Komara 8 NCD 0, (Northern) Lae Natives 3 Tusbab Stallions 5, Morobe Wawens 1 Lae City Dwellers 1, Lae City 7 Lahi 0, (NGI eastern) Laden Sankamap 2 Wantoks 4, Panguna Metals 4 North Bougainville 3, Kiara 0 Bougainville United 2, (NGI central) Green Gold 1 Kimbe Eagles 3, Seeds United 0 Laheri 6, Tavur 3 West Tribe 2, (Highlands) Kuri 1 Ape Aporo 4, Hagen 0 Radza 1.