Sait Matty started the defence of their league championship title with a disappointing and action packed goalless draw against Iwata Chikazi as the Brufut Nawettan got under way, at the village football field on Saturday under the gears of an impressive attendance.
Left back Lowrence Mendy whose side failed to capitalise on the numerous scoring chances had had one of the game's best scoring opportunities, but his left footed effort was brilliantly saved by Sait Matty's goalie Dembo Jatta in the early stage of an unimpressive opening fixture.
Coach Pa Essa Darboe and his Iwata Chikazi side were proven to be the better side of the day, but all their brilliant attacking options and dominance in the middle was not good enough to earn them their first vital 3 points of the campaign, though the ambitious Coach remained confidence of booking a place in the next round of the summer championship. But he is already aware of the fact that the scoring area is a major area that needs to be strengthened, if he wants to make an impact with the last year's quarter-finalist.
'I am going to work very hard with the team so that we can correct some of the mistakes we committed in order to move on Pointsport quoted Pa Essa as saying, shortly after his side's goaless draw against the league title holders Sait Matty.
Fabakary Samba almost broke the dead luck for Sait Matty, but his close range shot was frustrated by Iwata Chizaki goalkeeper, Kissima Phatty mid-way through the second period.
The Head Coach of the league champions, Matarr Jallow who blamed his strikers for their failure to make the best use of the sporadic scoring opportunities told this reporter that due to the absence of quite a large number of his key players, Sait Matty could not manage to record their first 3 points of the campaign.
'We were not able to keep hold on to our star players who are currently playing in another tournament which has given the team a lot of problems," Matarr Jallow explained.
For his part, the 1st Vice-Chairman of Brufut Youth and Sports Development Committee, Modou Jarju, commonly called Cherru, who also spoke to reporters, commended the people of Brufut for their impressive turnout to the opening game of the summer championship.
He also assured the people of Brufut that they are doing their utmost best at the GFA level to raise the standard of football in the area, and therefore calls for concerted efforts in order to realise their ambition.
Yunusa Jallow's decisive close rang-effort help City Limits edged pass FC Luka to register their first win of the campaign, thanks to an unselfish pass from team-mate Saikou Bojang close to stoppage time.
