Walsall FC Sierra Leone founder Ibrahim Kamara informs us of the latest news from Sierra Leone as the Saddlers are through to the finals of the Lungi League Cup after a
thrilling 8-7 penalty shoot-out yesterday!
The saddlers made a long trip up the coast to record a memorable and
thrillng victory against home side Ocean strikers FC
The Saddlers went into the match as firm favourites, having
established themselves as the team to beat. They did just that with a
solid and commanding win.
The match was played infront of a very large turnout, with the saddlers having
a fair share of the home support.
The reds got off to a promising start, winning a huge share of the final balls. A hopeful ball by Alusine Koroma down field found striker Lamin Suma, the reds strikers
was able to position himself well but thumped his goal-bound effort
wide.
The Saddlers moved the ball quickly, precisely and accurately with
much more purpose, than their opponents. Makeshift left back Francis Kamara threaded a long ball down field for winger Alex Bockarie to chase, the winger’s lofted ball caused a huge panic in the home side six yard box, in come Lamin Suma, whose tamed
effort flashed across the face of goal.
Moments later, the Saddlers missed another glorious chance to open
the scoring, Lamin Suma picked up possession from the half way line and
lashed a thumping effort that cleared the bar from 30-yards out.
The Saddlers insisted to keep the ball which gave them more authority in
the match, and won every ball in the middle of the park. Soon
afterwards, Ocean launched an attack down the other end, as the
Saddlers failed to clear a loose ball into the area and Saddlers Amadu
Kargbo fouled Ocean Strikers midfielder. The resulting free-kick was
curled in, but goalkeeper John Lamboi was able to punch clear, as the
Saddlers were living dangerously.
Just before the 20-minutes mark, another chance of breaking the
deadlock came for the reds, When playmaker Alusine Koroma picked out
the running Suma with a clever ball near the touch line, and the
strikers first time effort was blocked. The Saddlers charged down the rebound
with a fierce drive which the goalkeeper fumbled, but there was no Saddlers man on hand to pounce on
the loose ball.
Just as we approached the half hour mark, Ocean began
to insert their authority for the first time in the match, with a
series of hopeful balls into the Saddlers area which the reds defence
were equal to every ball.
The home side could not turned their brief spell of possession into openings. They continued to push the Saddlers on the back foot, winning huge portion of the final balls with every attempt of their lone striker.
Soon afterwards, the Saddlers nearly opened the scoring. Lamboi’s long
ball forward caused a huge panic in the Ocean’s area while midfielder
Musa Keita was able to skip past two defenders in the area and his
crossed-shot was punched away by the goalkeeper.
Winger Alex Bockarie who was in a scoring position headed the ball back across the goal that hits the arm a defender inside the area, but the referee waved
play on.
Ocean Strikers started the second half strongly and they came closest
to take the lead. The saddlers gave them more room on the right of
defence, they sent a lovely ball inside the area which goalkeeper
Lamboi missed on first attempt but defender Ibrahim Massaquoi was able
to head clear.
Then the saddlers launched a quick counter-attack down the other end
and almost took the lead when playmaker Alusine Koroma was to beat his
man and lashed in a loafted ball that missed the left hand post.
Saddlers got a foot hold of the match as we entered the first
15minutes of the second period. Alusine Koroma again threaded a long ball from the left by-line with the running Suma at the back post, but the striker can only head
straight at the side netting.
Just as we past the hour mark, the Saddlers enjoyed a huge spell of
possession and it almost paid off – a delightful through ball by Saddlers
Gibrilla Kargbo found substitute Osman Riva Kamara, the
midfielder went alone and dinked a rasping effort that the goalkeeper
was able to push away for a corner. The resulting corner was not properly dealth with and the saddlers too couldn’t commit more men forward to capitalise.
The Saddlers were always likely to score and in the 88th minute, a
surging run by Osman Kamara, exchanged passess to
midfielder Alusine Koroma and the midfielder’s reversed ball set him
through on goal, he went alone and slot home a first time effort into
the bottom corner of the goal. The crowd erupted. But that was
silenced by the referee having blown for off-side. That prevented the
Saddlers for getting a deserving lead in normal time.
The match went straight into spot kicks.
The Saddlers took and missed the first spot-kick but thanks to
goalkeeper John Lamboi who made two fantastic saves sent the
Saddlers marching into the final.
Everyone at Vital Walsall would like to congratulate the lads for reaching the final and on April 19th we hope Walsall FC Sierra Leone can bring home the silverware.
What a fantastic season for them!
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