S/K East Knockout Final fails to produce a winner

The knockout final of the Serrekunda East Sports Development Organisation (SESDO) played by Ball Conge FC against Medina FC on Saturday failed to produce a winner after a 1-1 draw on regulation time.

It took Ball Conge only four minutes to open the score-line when striker Modou fired in a sensible finish after capitalizing on Habib Koroma’s cross.

Koroma had a golden opportunity to double the lead for Ball Conge in the 29th minute of the game but failed to make good use of it.

Cherno Njie levelled the score for Medina in the 34th minute of the game from a brilliant header after capitalizing on Ba Karamo Ceesay’s cross.

Five minutes later Buba Badjie had a golden chance to register his name on the score-sheet for Medina when he was set up by skipper Modou Sarr inside the eighteen-yard box but he wasted his chance.

Substitute Alasana Marong almost doubled the lead for Medina in the 47th minute but his shot deflected on a Ball Conge defender, struck the cross bar and went over for a corner kick thus the game ended 1-1.

As of press time, the date for the rescheduled game was yet to be established.

Speaking to reporters, Ansumana Jallow, head coach of Medina, said his time with the club last year was a learning and building process for him but this year his “aim is to achieve something” good.

He also said the goal he conceded was a mistake from his team but that he instructed his players to be calm and push forward, which resulted in them getting an equalizer.

“I work against the game I have to play,” he said of his strategy, adding that they do prepare mentally for every game to ensure they take anything that comes their way.

He also noted that Ball Conge are “a team that can be scaring” because they have skillful and mature players in their team but expressed confidence that his team will win the trophy. 

Basiru Taal, head coach of Ball Conge, said he was happy with the draw, adding that his team will win the trophy come the day of the rescheduled game.

“We cannot be relegated in the Nawetan and lose this trophy,” he promised, saying that was the first time they played against Medina but the latter know them very well because of the number of trophies they won at East.

He also said that they would come with a much stronger team for the rescheduled game to ensure they carry the day.