Local Premier League Review – E.E. Lions Veteran Still Hopeful of Title Defence

Concord Times (Freetown)

21 June 2011

Freetown — East End Lions veteran striker, Sidikie Mansaray insists his side’s chances of retaining their Premier League crown this season have not faded despite their goalless draw with Old Edwardians on Sunday.

The Killers failed to close the gap on Ports Authority’s six points lead at the top of the table with a game in hand but Mansaray believes they can still win the title.

Lions stay sixth in the log with 15 points from nine games; they have a game in hand to be played on Wednesday June 22 against relegation candidate, Area Best. Mansaray said he is hopeful that Ports Authority will slip along the road as they still have to face Central Parade, Diamond Stars and FC Kallon.

“I believe we still have a chance to retain our title; Ports Authority will face Central Parade and Diamond Stars before taking on another title contender, FC Kallon on the final day of the league. These are difficult fixtures for them so everything is open,” he said.

“In football everything can happen in a game until the final whistle. You can win the title or lose it in the last minute. Our aim is to try to win every game and after that we’ll see what our position will be.”

In their quest to land the trophy back-to-back, the Killers were lucky to escape with a point against a determined Old Edwardians side who could have won the match but wasted several goal-scoring chances. The draw leaves the May Park Boys in 10th position with 11 points from 10 games played.

Elsewhere, Mighty Blackpool’s search for a win paid dividends on Saturday at the National Stadium in Freetown after defeating relegation bound Nepean Stars 2-0.

Abu Sesay scored both goals for the Tiss Tass Boys, who have now moved three places up in the log with 12 points from 10 games. However, Nepean Stars’ hopes of staying in the Premier League continue to fade as they still languish in 13th position with just four points from 11 matches.

In the other clash on the same day, host Wusum Stars also failed to close the gap on Ports Authority in their pursuit of the league crown after they blew up a 2-0 lead to settle for a 2-2 draw against Freetown City FC (FCFC).

An own goal by defender Samuel Conteh gave Wusum Stars the lead before striker Mohamed ‘Daddy’ Conteh doubled the score line, but FCFC’s Guinean skipper Dimini Lino pulled one back before the break. Lino got the equaliser three minutes from time to deny Wusum Stars an all important victory.

Wusum Stars now have 19 points from eleven matches and lying third in the log, while FCFC remains in 12th position with nine points from nine matches.

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