Skipper Kaipu leads Hekari rout of Port Moresby Academy

By PATRICIA KEAMO
Papua New Guinea international Kaipu scored her goals in each half and Moses bagged her brace before the break to send Hekari on the way to their third win of the season.
The second-placed Southern Conference team rounded out the win with six more goals after halftime at PNG Football Stadium.
Hekari coach Eric Komeng said he was impressed with his team’s performance despite a slow start to the match.
“At the end of the day, scoring goals and recording wins are important,” he said.
“The four-week WNSL break wasn’t ideal as it took me some time to get my players ready for round four.”
The second match saw cellar dwellers Amoana step up their game but it was not enough as the Central side lost 1-5 to Port Moresby City.
Amoana’s Emma Kila cancelled out Catherine Mandoni opener but Naime Kepi’s charges could not keep up as Jacobeth Bani restored City’s first-half lead.
City continued their momentum after halftime as PNG midfielder Rumona Morris’s brace and Gloria Laeli’s goal sealed victory for the Port Moresby Soccer Association side. City coach Frederica Sakette said she was happy with their second win of the season.
“We just returned from the break, so I wasn’t expecting a very physical game,” she said.
“But my players stepped up (in the second half) and averted any chance of a comeback.”
In the main match of Port Moresby’s triple-header, Rayleen Bauelua’s second-half strike helped conference leaders Genesis continue their perfect start with a 1-0 win over National Capital District (NCD).
“Prior to kick-off, I warned my players that NCD would not give us an easy game and that’s exactly what happened,” Genesis coach Percy Mataio said.
“But we dug deep and earned the win.
“Our progress so far is a testament to my players’ hard work.
“But we can’t be complacent as there’s still a long way to go in the season.”
Genesis occupy the top spot with 12 points, followed by Hekari (10), City (6), NCD (4), Academy (3) and Amoana (0). Results: Sat, Jan 16 — Hekari 9 Port Moresby Academy 0, Port Moresby City 5 Amoana 1, Genesis 1 NCD 0, Poro 4 Sepik 0, Morobe Tulip 5 Rainy Lae 3, Bara 3 Markham Raings 1, Tusbab Laidamon 3 Pacific Gardens 1.