Oilers Maintain Top Spot

Wleh Bedell

Former champions LPRC Oilers maintained their lead at the top of the LFA premiership when they were held to a goales draw by promising Gedi&Sons at the ATS.

It was not the vintage of performance from the star studded squad who looked ordinary on the day.

They can count themselves lucky for not loosing all three points after putting up a disjointed performance infront a fare crowd.

After cancelling each other out in the first stanza that can be described as a comedy of errors, Gedi & Sons went on a pressure drive after the interval, and in the 52nd minute, their effort paid off when they were justly awarded a penalty after towering defender David Tweh had upended th explosive Patrick Wleh in the box.

The lad in an attempt to register his eighth goal of the season took on the responsibility to convert the penalty, but was unlucky on his second try.

He had earlier scored the kick, but center referee Benedict Yarsiah ordered the kick be retaken for no apparent reason.

It is stil not clear as to why the kick had to be retaken with many arguing that if it was an encroachment from a player in the box why was a yellow card not shown, and whether he did blow the whistle before the kick was taken is another talking point.

The lanky striker however played the ball miles over the cross bar to keep Oilers in the match.

Goalie Saylee Swen put up a heroic performance as he made several nerve wrecking saves.

But, the Oiers wideman, Melvin Kicmett was a disappointment as he squandered two chances. The two capped Liberian international failed to deposit two crossses from playmates Johnny 'the pacy ' Bledee and Mardie 'the sublime' Rennie.

Despite the unheralded performance, the Oilers are at the top with 17 points in eight matches, with the Anchors at second spot with 15 points in 11 maatches.

In the day's earlier match, female leaders Earth Angels widen the gap when they pinned Pro Anchors 1-0.

The tripple champions featured a deplete squad after playing without four of their regulars including the descent finisher Kpanneh Syon and the midfield class, Veronica Amoah, alias Okocha due to suspension as a result of cards received.

At the NPA Sports pitch, Watanga FC moved a sep closer but yet still far from the top of the premiership after defeating minnows Mark Pros 2-1.

Interestingly, it was the latter's first goal of the season in eight matches.

In the first pairing, Clara Town based Young Survivors and Caldewll based New Georgia Pirates played to a 1-1 draw in a Second Division duel.

The league meanwhile continues on Friday with Gaardnersville FC and West Point club Chasey locking horns in a Second Division thriller, while female sides Kebbeh and Kortie IE will come face to face in the final match at the NPA Sports pitch.

Also, female unsung underdogs Queens and underachievers Blanco will sort things out while point donors Zelors and rejuvinated Karn United will draw the curtain in a First Division clash at the ATS.