Update on the National 1st Division Playoffs Group-A in Makeni

By: Tejan Frederickson Fatorma

Northeast Region Football Association (NERFA) Media and Marketing

In the first match between Great Scarcies and Real Republicans was a must win for either sides to had increased their chances to progress into the semis. 

For most period of the game, Real Republicans FC  looked out of sorts as they failed to stamp authority in a match that a first half goal ought to have given them the confidence to play better than they did.

The goal by forward, Ibrahim Sorie was the only silver lining that the Republicans could hold on to in a match that was highly contested by their Great Scarcies  counterparts. 

The Republicans forward was gifted the goal that separated the two sides from a volcanic error made by the goalie, Ibrahim Sesay who failed to place his glove from a  close range shot in the 17th minutes. 

Second half action got heated as tentions were mounted on allegations based on fair play. 

The Republicans were gifted a 62nd minutes penalty after a Scarcies' player was caught propelling the ball with his hand. Henry Koroma took the responsibility to execute from the spot, but failed to score as his shot was denied by shot stopper, Ibrahim. 

Effort to level terms by Great Scarcies all proved fruitless as they had so many chances to keep them in the game.

The match was put on hold in the 87th minutes after a scarmish erupted but was later resolved and match resumed for the continuation of the remaining minutes. 

In the second match between Rutile Rangers FC vs Sahid Conteh-U FC, 

the first half saw Rutile Rangers fire off many shots and had much of the controls in the middle of the park while Conteh-U were quite defensive minded.

The second half was a different story, as Sahid Conteh-U picked up the level of offensive intensity.  The Northeast region Super ten runners-up were able to get off six shots, including three on goal. In the  67th minute their skipper drilled a shot that hit the crossbar. In addition, Rutile Rangers midfield meastro had two shots on goal that were stopped by Conteh-U goalkeeper Marafa. 

The encounter could be regarded as a match of two equals although both teams failed to find the ball at the back of the net at the end of the ninety  minutes.

As it stands, after two matches played in this groupe, Freetown FC is leading the table with four points, seconded by Real Republicans with four points, Rutile Rangers FC are third on the table with two points, Said Conteh-U FC and Great Scarcies are in fourth and fifth respectively with one point each.