Star belt Gigira

By HENRY MORABANG
EASTERN Star FC was the unlucky star to miss out on the Telikom National Soccer League minor premiership title at the close of the Telikom National Soccer League season last Saturday.
The Eddie Omokirio-coached side posted an emphatic 5-2 victory over a strong Gigira Laitepo Morobe side at the Lloyd Robson Oval, however, it will be not enough to stake their claim for minor title.
Despite leading at the close of the regular season, Star will keep their fingers crossed as champions Hekari United play out their two remaining NSL matches.
Star’s only hope of snatching the minor premiership, and a ticket to the O-League for the first time, is if Hekari lose their two outstanding fixtures.
Former Morobe flanker Fabian Bagi hit the opening goal after his striker Carrol Kakate was brought down on the edge of the penalty box for a 1-0 lead to the Milne Bay side.
Star skipper Cyril Muta scored the second goal after Timothy Joe neatly placed a header for him to score before underrated Star midfielder Michael Foster sent the packed house into early celebrations with a long range strike (close to halfway) for the third goal of the afternoon.
Morobe rallied back through Sammy Hiob after a good set play by Kohu Liam to pull a goal back 3-1.
In the second half, Liam found the net to narrow the deficit 3-2 before Star’s Paul Wale scored from the spot for the fourth goal, and minutes later, he beat Morobe defence for his second goal.
In other matches, Hekari are still in hunt to retain the minor premiership with 1-0 win over Tukoko University and Madang Fox drew with Petro Souths 2-2.
Goals to Barry Chimie and Frank Tulem were enough to force a draw to support Madang’s claim for a spot in the final.
 Hekari are all but set to represent the country in the O-League for third consecutive year
Hekari should, barring any major upsets or a serious drop in form, earn  six  points against Madang Fox and Lae’s Tukoko in the wash-out fixtures to be played later in the week to determine the minor premiers.