Sepik sink Bara

Jagi scores hat-trick to help visitors retain second spot

By LARRY ANDREW
SHARLYN Jagi scored a hat-trick to help Sepik retain second spot with a 5-0 thrashing of Bara in round nine of the Women’s National Soccer League in Lae on Saturday.
The opening fixture of the Northern Conference double-header at Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium saw Markham Raings, under coach Ishmael Maddang, record their third win of the season with a 3-0 victory against Morobe Tulip.
In Madang, visitors Poro netted a second-half winner after being held 2-2 by Tusbab Laidamon at halftime at Laiwaden Oval.
In Goroka, Rainy Lae recorded their first victory of the season with a 3-2 win over hosts Pacific Gardens at the National Sports Institute.
The main fixture of the conference started slow with Bara and Sepik looking to gain ascendency.
But the hosts’ fragile defence saw Nicolla Nianian slipping a through ball to Leuvennah Karo who delivered a cross which deflected in off the right goal post for the opener in the 13 minute.
Bara were again exposed when Sepik’s leading goal scorer Jagi extended their lead to 2-0 after a good build-up by her teammates.
In the 38th minute, another good passage of play by the Gorden Torovu-coached visitors saw Karo completing her double before Jagi netted her second a minute later for a 4-0 lead at halftime.
Bara came back strongly after the break with Charlie Banzeck, Eunice Nabalu, Helga Bandi, Hiratha Tomaing and Renee Thomas stepping up in attack but were unable to find the back of the net.
The game seesawed until the 76th minute when Bara goalkeeper Irene Kenny left her line, allowing Jagi to complete her hat-trick and help Sepik go three points clear of the third-placed hosts.
Torovu told The National that after losing to Bara in round two, his players had worked hard to become a more competitive side in the country’s premier women’s football competition.
“We’re working more on our coordination and it’s starting to pay off,” he said.
“We’re continuing to build as a team and that’s a positive sign.”