By: Kolubah Zayzay (ELBC Sports)
Monrovia Liberia – The Liberia Football Association First Division Championship race intensified at the weekend with intriguing results that with changes in the standing on the league table.
Monrovia Club Breweries who sat at the top of the first division table for more than four weeks surrounded the top seat to Mighty Barrolle who are marking their return to the first division this season from a long period in the lower tier.
Club Breweries failure to take all three points against Freeport FC was a delight for Mighty Barrolle who defeated Watanga FC 2-0 at the Blue Field to taste top spot for the first time since 2010, the year they last won the LFA title.
Ballack Somah, a former player Watanga FC scored what is arguably the best goal of the season so far when he kicked the ball on the halfway line of the field, beating the Watanga Keeper for goal number two for the Rollers.
Jill Belemah had earlier handed Barrolle the lead in the first half.
Watanga should have taken a point in that match, but they missed that chance when Captain Fasedu Logan and utility player, Samir Kamara missed a penalty each either side of half time.
Barrolle; heavily cheered on by scores of fans in central Monrovia moved at the top of the LFA First Division Table on 19 points with that victory.
They are leveled on points with Club Breweries, but lead on goal difference ahead of the Beer Boys.
Club President, Alex Tyler along of several top fans of Mighty Barrolle and Ex-Goal Keeper (now Sports Minister) Zeogar Wilson, Grand Bassa County Superintendent Janjay Baikpeh and former President Ivan Brown were at the Blue field pushing the boys to the win.
President Alex Tyler told journalists at the close of the game, that the process of rejuvenating Mighty Barrolle is still on, as he called on fans of the club to begin returning to the Red Boys with all the support needed.
When asked about his interest in seeing the team play in the next Caf Champions League, Mr. Tyler said “We will not get big headed over the progress so far, but we hope to work harder in getting the supporters back to the team. We want to improve in the league before thinking about the continental competition. We are still rebuilding the Mighty Barrolle Sports Association, to become an institution standing on its own”.
Freeport FC saw their 2-0 lead against Club Breweries cancelled in the dying minutes of the match at the ATS.
In other results, NPA Anchors who are without a permanent coach after sacking Oliver Markor defeated title contender, Bea Mountain 2-1 to collect their second win in all competition this season. Despite that win, NPA Anchors remained in the relegation zone.
Nimba United, who dismissed their own coach Mathew Julutuah hours to their weekend fixture, suffered a 2-0 lost at home to LISCR FC at the North Star pitch.
Strugglers Small Town FC surprised many fans as they became the first team to whip Nimba Kwado in Sanniquillie this season, winning 1-0 to collect only their second win of the season.
Champions LPRC Oilers are in 5th place after beating Nimba FC 1-0 in Buchanan city.
Following that match, the bus carrying the Nimba FC team to Monrovia, was involved in an accident, but no serious injury had been reported.
The LFA National League will continue on Wednesday February 26.
