LK United beat Bradford FC in East Nawetaan Qualifiers

Latrikunda United on Tuesday defeated Bradford FC 2-1 to advance to the next stage of the Serrekunda East Sports Development Organisation (SESDO) Nawetaan Qualifiers at the Serrekunda East Mini-stadium.

The keenly contested encounter attracted large crowd of supporters.

It took Latrikunda United only 10 minutes to open the scoring through Musa Manga but skipper Ebrima Sowe equalised for Bradford FC five minutes later, a goal that cancelled out Latrikunda’s upper-hand leading into an half time with a 1-1 score-line.

Defender Mbye Faye sealed the victory for Latrikunda United upon resumption when he nodded home a sensible strike in the 68th minute.

The victory has seen Latrikunda United progress to the next stage of the qualifier being played in a knockout format.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the game, Saihou Marong, head coach of Latrikunda United, said he was very happy for collecting the three points at the expense of Bradford FC.

Marong described Bradford as “a very good team” despite knocking them out of the qualifiers.

“We prepared very well for this game knowing that we are coming to meet a very good team that we respect so much,” he said.

He also said the goal his side conceded was caused by a mistake but was however quick to add that there was no pressure or alarm on the bench when they conceded that goal knowing well they were going to equalise.

“We will prepare very well for our next game because I know it is even going to be tougher than this game today,” added coach Marong while expressing confidence that his team “will qualify” for this year’s Serrekunda East Sports Development Organisation Nawetaan Proper.

He finally thanked fans of the team for coming out in their large numbers to support the team.

Lamin Manneh, head coach of Bradford, said he was disappointed with the result but was quick to say they have taken the results in good faith due to the unpredictable nature of football.

He added: “We prepared normally like for any other game and I have to thank the players for working so hard to come up to this stage of the qualifiers.

However, the disappointed coach said: “The defenders were sleeping and as a result, we conceded the second goal but this is football.”

Manneh thanked fans of the team for their support during the qualifying rounds.