Kotome hat-trick helps Bara shut out LFA Originals

By LARRY ANDREW
A KESAI Kotome hat-trick helped Bara shut out LFA Originals 8-0 in the Women’s National Soccer League Northern Conference at the Papua New Guinea Football Association Education Centre at 11-Mile outside Lae yesterday.
The win helped Bara leapfrog Lahi into the pole spot after Power drew with hosts Tusbab Laidamon in a scoreless match in Madang on Wednesday.
Behind the two teams are Poro who crushed against Rainy Lae in the midweek round.
Bara found an opening in the seventh minute with Charlie Marip pushing a through ball for Eunice Nabalu to score.
The competition leader’s added to their score through Kotome after the ball deflected off Originals goalkeeper Gloris Miag.
Kotome added her second goal and Bara’s third via a Marip corner kick seven minutes later.
Despite the experience of Bara, Originals did well to thwart any attacks before Marip scored the first goal of her double and Kotome completed her hat-trick for a 5-0 lead.
Bara had to work extra hard in the second half as Originals looked to fight back, but Bara’s Nenny Elipas and Marip found the net to seal the win.
After the midweek games, Bara are sitting on 12 points from four wins, followed by Power (11), Poro (10), Rainy Lae (6), Laidamon (4) and Originals (0).
There will no games this weekend as the teams take a week’s break before resuming with a triple-header next Saturday.