#Article (Archive)

Samger beat GPA in 1st Division League

Jun 6, 2011, 3:03 PM | Article By: Cherno Omar Bobb

Samger on Saturday defeated the defending champions of the Gambia Football Association (GFA) first division league, the Gambia Ports Authority, 2-1 in the opening game of the second round of the league played at the Serrekunda East Mini Stadium.

Samger were awarded a penalty when GPA skipper Alagie Fatajo brought down Lamin Sarjo Samateh in the penalty area, and captain Ebrima Jaiteh converted the penalty from the penalty spot to give Samger a one-nil lead in the 31st minute of the game.

Lamin Sarjo Samateh made it 2-0 for Samger in the 52nd minute of the game from a sensible header, after capitalising on Yahya Ndong's brilliant cross from the right edge of the GPA box to seal the victory.

Cherno Njie and Abdou Njie missed some clear chances for the Gambia Ports Authority in the 87th minute of the game that could have brought them back into the game.

Alagie Fatajo scored GPA's only goal in the 91st minute of the game from a brilliant finish, but that proved to be a consolation for coach Bonu Johnson and his charges.

The defeat means GPA still maintains the same points as that of the first round with 19 points in twelve games, while Samger FC added another three points to their names collecting 16 points in twelve encounters as a result.

On the same day at the Box Bar Mini Stadium in Brikama, the current league leaders, Brikama United, were defeated 3-2 by Interior FC which saw them drop three vital points, with 10 more matches left for them to do something positive.

They still maintained their 25 points in twelve league games, while Interior has move to 9 points in twelve games.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the game, Jaine Joof, the head coach of Samger FC, said he was very much excited for collecting maximum three points against the defending champions.

He stated that they also lost about nine of their key players through injury, and that this has been affecting them, but noted that they have good youngsters at their academy who are doing well and that this are the ones they are using to replace those injured players.

Peter Bonu Johnson, the head coach of the Gambia Ports Authority, said it was unfortunate they lost their first game of the second round.

He said they had their chances during the game, but could not take them seriously like their opponents did.

"The defeat will serve as a motivation for my players going into the next game, and it will also motivate them to fight even harder to defend their title," said Bonu.