Poro claim minor title

A HATTRICK by Poro FC’s Meagan Gunemba helped her side to a 3-2 win over Bara on Saturday and top spot in the Women’s National Soccer’s League Northern Conference.
Poro were made to work for their victory by a determined Bara but there was no denying Gunemba’s class as the talented striker ensured the title of top conference team went to the Papuan Compound-based side in a torrid but entertaining round 12 game on Saturday at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.
In other round 12 games, Markham Raings got over Rainy Lae 2-1, Sepik edged a competitive Pacific Gardens 1-0 and in the main game of the day, Rachael Wadunah’s Tusbab Laidamon beat Morobe Tulips 2-0.
The Troy Gunemba-coached Poro kept their composure and did not disappoint as Meagan Gunemba found the back of the net in the 20th minute for an early lead.
Poro’s other standouts were midfielders Talita Irakau, Agai Max and Aileen David who controlled possession well to set up Gunemba for her second goal in the 29th minute.
Despite being down 0-2, Bara stayed in the game launching raid after raid until cracks started appearing in a flustered Poro defence. Bara’s best were Charlie Banzeck, Stephanie Patari and Desleigh Darius who all took shots at goal whenever they were presented with opportunities.
Bara went to the halftime break trailing 0-2 but brimming with confidence and that faith was rewarded in the 61st minute when Banzeck blazed a shot past Poro defence to cut the deficit to 1-2.
The goal also woke Poro from a period of lacklustre play and Gunemba again capped off a great individual performance with her third goal of the afternoon.
The PNG representative forward showed her class, finishing off great lead up work by David for a 3-1 lead.
Far from being crushed by conceding the goal, Bara showed their grit and determination to keep fighting on and eventually hit back through Banzek, who bagged her second goal after latching on to a through ball to slide one past Poro keeper Betty Sem in the 89th minute.
Coach Gunemba commended Bara for putting up a fight and refusing to throw the towel in and thanked his players for lifting their intensity when they needed to make scoring plays.