Madang beat Wawens at home

By ISAAC LIRI
MADANG FC beat new kids on the block, Morobe Wawens 3-1 at home in one of the opening matches of the National Soccer League on Saturday.
Wawens proved that they had what it takes to be in the semi-professional competition, scoring the first goal from a Donatus Bandi header.
But the situation changed when Kenneth Pilailo of Wawens gave away a penalty in the 13th minute and Madang took advantage of that and Vanya Malagian scored the equaliser.
The crowd at Laiwaden Oval celebrated wildly when Madang’s Emmanuel Airem scored their second goal despite the strong defence from the Lae side.
Both teams maintained their defence in the first half of the match but when they returned in the second half, Madang proved too strong when Airem took a surprise shot that set the ball straight into net for his second goal.
Wawens keeper Alois John had tried to save the goal but was unsuccessful when Airem got there first to slam it into the net.
The game seesawed both ways in the last 20 minutes but Madang manage to hold onto their defence beating Morobe Wawens 3-1.
Madang coach Mauri Wasi thanked his players for the result and said he was glad that his boys managed to win on home soil.
He said the team has been together for three weeks and with a big task playing at home, they managed to deliver in front of a packed Laiwaden Oval.
In the other match over in Lae, the defending champions Toti City FC beat the young guns Besta PNG United 3-2.
Meanwhile, fixtures in Port Moresby were cancelled due to ban over venues due to non-payment.