Port Moresby comeback despite spirited Dwellers

 By LARRY ANDREW

LAE’S long lost sons Nigel Dabinyaba and Raymond Gunemba put on a splendid display of football to hold off a rejuvenated FC Port Moresby 2-2 in the Telikom National Soccer League opener in Lae on Saturday.

The match played under in cool conditions drew in an enthusiastic crowd to the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium.

Lae City Dwellers opened the scoring with a goal in the second minute of play when Dabinyaba latched onto a clean ball and swerved around several defenders before tapping the ball past the Port Moresby goalkeeper and man of the match Albert Mesulam for a 1-0 lead.

But that glorious moment of jubilation was shortlived as Andrew Marampau levelled the scores at 1-1 a minute later in an entertaining opening to the match. The home side regrouped and using their midfielders to control possession.

One of those sweeping moves saw the Dwellers deep in enemy territory and captain Gunemba made the most of his chance, putting his side  2-1 up at the break.

The second half of the game ignited with both teams visiting each other’s goalmouth but poor option  taking and execution meant there was no additions to the scoreline just yet.

Referee Amos Anio dealt out the cards as the intensity increased as both sides looked for the match-winner. 

Port Moresby, rattled by the Lae’s enthusiastic charges, were desparate for the equaliser.

It came down to one of their most experienced in Neil Hans, who scored in the 68th minute, much to the relief of the visitors’ coaching staff.

A throw-in went awry, leaving the Dwellers goalmouth open and Hans obliged. 

From there neither side could break the deadlock despite many attempts.

Lae City 2 (N.Dabinyaba 2, R.Gunemba 5) FC POM 2 (M.Andrew 2, N.Hans 63) HT: 2-1 (LCD FC) at Sir Ignatius Kilage stadium.