United women bag Ramu title

By NELSON THOM
HETURA United and United Football clubs defended their titles in the 2012 Ramu Sugar Soccer Association grand finals, in the men’s and women’s divisions respectively over the weekend.
In the women’s title play-off, reigning champions United FC who will be playing under Yamaros’ colours next year, beat their arch rival Hetura United in a tough match.
What was a rematch of last year’s grand final, the result remained the same as United FC held off Hetura United 2-1 to keep the silverware locked in their dressing rooms.
Two-goal hero Louvena Karo snatched the lead for the champions early in the first half to lead 1-0 until the halftime break.
However, Hetura replied in the second half with a well-taken goal from Leoba Akoi, which levelled the game.
Hetura tried their best to steal another goal, but it United’s trusted backline withstood a mid-half attacking spree to deny any further goals from their rivals.
The tide turned towards the end of the game when United pushed through several chances to take the lead but poor finishing left the game in the balance.
However, with 20 minutes left on the clock, United’s Karo found herself steaming to the goal with only the ’keeper to beat, which she did gracefully, finding the back of the net to give the defending champions a 2-1 lead.
United held off a few last-gasp attempts from Hetura and sealed a memorable victory under the United banner.
Coach John Taramaku was pleased with his girls, saying the win was one that they would remember for a long time as next year the team will run under the Yamaros FC banner.
He congratulated Hetura saying they were a quality team and United’s win now cement a rivalry against them that would go on for years to come.
In the men’s division it was the other way around when champions Hetura FC fought out a 2-0 win over grand final newcomers Raings FC.
Raings got off to a commendable start with early chances however poor finishing hurt the Markham boys.
Both teams did not have many opportunities at goal at end of the first half, however Hetura made use of the rare chance that came their way to grab the lead and powered on from there to claim the championship.
Striker Sano Anton Junior scored the only first half goal.
 through a counter attack by the champions giving them the upper hand at the half time break.
Despite the quality of the match chances at goal where hard to come for both teams in the second half as a light shower made the pitch and the ball slippery.
The rain brought with it a chance for Hetura when a cross field kick from Justin Elijah found Andy Piko who easily found the back of the net.
Elijah’s kick was an easy take for the Raings goal keeper however, he fumbled and Piko was there to reap the reward.
Piko’s goal gave the champions an assailable 2 goals to nil lead which they held on until the final whistle.
Medallions, trophies and a shield was awarded to the 2012 champions United FC (women) and Hetura United FC (men) while runner-ups Hetura United (women) and Raings (men) and third placing Guria (women) and Sugar Roots (men) received trophies too.