Morobe, Uni win

Normal, Sports

AFTER a disappointing loss to Eastern Star in their last outing, Gigira Laitepo Morobe bounced back to the winners’ circle with a 3-0 win over Besta PNG U20 United with the fine conditions playing a major role.
In the other match, Esi Loan University beat Niupetro Fox 2-0 in front of a vocal crowd that packed the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium at Voco Point in Lae.
Gigira Morobe returned with vengeance and withstood a vastly improved an U20 side while Madang Fox failed to step up in their attack allowing University to beat them despite playing with one man down.
Madang’s sloppy defence was their main enemy in the first match of the day against University Inter, who managed to hold off Madang Fox attack.
University Inter were down with a man after captain Neil Hans was red-carded for his physical confrontation with his former teammates from Madang in the early part of the second half.
He will cop a K500 fine and will miss out on the club’s pursuit for the top four positions in the final match for the season on Saturday.
The second match of the day was a rare show of support to the U20 boys, who displayed more control and confidence in their ball work.
Young goalkeeper Jacob Senart put up a superb performance in just his third appearance winning over new fans.
Besta PNG United midfielder Emmanuel Simon, though one of the smallest players on the field was also solid with his ball distribution for the youngsters who managed to hold of Morobe strikers Francis Yasasa and Nathaniel Lepani.
However, with Morobe’s aim to make the top four on the points table, captain and fullback Goroba Tawa in a rare feat managed to penetrate the opponents’ defence and score their first goal seconds before half-time.
Morobe replacements Moses Sine scored in the 73rd minute while crowd favourite Pascal Wojen weaved his magic three minutes later to slot the ball into the left corner of the goal past Sernat.
This victory means Gigira still have a chance to finish among the top four in the Telikom National Soccer League.
In Port Moresby, CMSS Tigers secured a finals spot after a 2-1 win over Gelle Hills in their final Telikom NSL match in Port Moresby on Saturday.
Trailing 1-0 in the opening half, ace striker Raymond Gunemba equalised by powering a shot past Gelle Hills goalkeeper to level the scores 1-1 before half time.
In the second half, Sovera Guti put  Tigers in front following a good set play by midfielder Mathew Mende, to find the net.
The victory has brushed aside any rumours of Tigers bowing out of the NSL final series.
The unofficial points ladder: Hekari 33, CMSS Tigers 26, Gigira Laitepo Morobe FC 24, Esiloan University 23, Eastern Star 21, Tukoko University 20, Gelle Hills 15, Niupetro Fox 10 and Besta PNG seven.