Uni soar over Coast

GERARD Lashel scored the winning goal for NBS Tukoko University (Lae) to beat Gigira Laitepo Central Coast 3-2 in the Telikom National Soccer League match at the Bisini Soccer Park in Port Moresby on Saturday.
The slim and clean-cut flanker drove the winner past Central Coast goalkeeper David Aua after a scramble in the goal area.
Tukoko University coach Harrison Kamake said he was very happy with the win.
“Overall, I am happy with the boys. They put a lot of effort into preparing for this game and it paid off today,” Kamake said.
“I kept reminding them to stick to the game plan – trying to keep possession of the ball and allow their opponents to work for it.”
Kamake, a former PNG representative, said the plan worked a treat with the visitors able to find cracks in the Coast defensive line to score two goals in quick succession in the second half.
Trailing 2-1 at the break, Kamake’s men certainly earned their win making them the second Lae franchise to take a Port Moresby scalp in a week.
Tukoko University levelled the scores through substitute Gari Moka who volleyed the ball over Aua.
But the celebrations proved costly when Moka was slapped with a yellow card for removing his jersey.
Moka’s appeal for an explanation from match referee Salaiau Sosongan was ignored.
However, Sosongan got an unwelcome reception from fans on the sideline booing him.
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Tukoko University switched to defensive mode with Francis Tulem working tirelessly to contain the Central Coast attack and striker Tau Winnie had a golden chance to force an equaliser but Tukoko University goalkeeper David Kali was up to the task and blocked off what could have been a goal.
Tukoko University were the first to score when Sowera Guti slipped a pass to flanker Armstrong Peka who curved a brilliant shot over Aua to lead 1-0 in less than a minute which could be one of the fastest goals scored in the 2011-12 season.
However, the home side replied minutes later when Reginald Davani found Winnie in the clear to slip one past Kali for the equalizer.
Davani had Kali stretching in what could have been a classical goal had it gone in but Kali again denied Central Coast.
Tukoko University led 2-1 when Nathaniel Lepani scored from a spot-kick when Winnie was brought down in the penalty area.
However, with Guti and Kohu Liam dictating play, it was the visitors who kept their composure with some scrappy defence to deny their opponents from stretching their lead on the competition table.
The loss for Central Coast sees them on 12 points behind Hekari United who bounced back from their disappointing 2-1 loss at the hands of Besta (PNG) United last Wednesday.
Hekari beat Petro Souths 5-2 in Goroka while Eastern Stars edged Besta Utd 1-0 after fighting a scoreless first half.
The unofficial points table has Hekari on 13 points followed by Central Coast 12, Besta (PNG) United 10, City Pharmacy Eastern Stars 8, MMJV Bulolo United 4, Tukoko University 4 and Petro Souths 3.