WASTEFUL GUNJUR UNITED PAYS THE ULTIMATE PRIZE

Gunjur United dominates the passes, interceptions, corners, fouls suffered, chances and even had more supporters in attendance but, in the end it was a win for the proclaimed Academy Boys as Mamadi Ngum nets the only goal at the Independence Stadium this evening.

Salifu Bojang, Dodou Sambou, Abubacarr Demba and Omar Touray were all culprits for failing to convert from positions where goals are always a possibility and were made to pay as Samger capitalizes on one counter attack when Sulayman Faal bursts through the empty space on the Gunjur left back to set up the unmark Mamadi Ngum who simply side footed low into Yunus Jatta’s net.

The poor structure of the Gambian National Leagues and the weak financial status of the teams always make matches boring. The tie between Gunjur and Samger is a similar case, it was only the good football played by Gunjur that saves the game from turning into a complete boring affairs, as a thirty thousand capacity stadium only had fewer than fifty spectators.

Gunjur United FC

Gunjur started the game berightly attacking Samger from all angles, in the process Salifu Bojang the captain armband for the day and Dodou Sambou both had two shots block from close range.

Moments later the Samger custodian Ebrima Jambang left Gunjur camp in astonishment as he magically tip Kansidia Touray’s curl around a post before saving Bakary S. Touray’s freekick well.

All those moments Samger were more defensive minded only showing envious nastiness, though both Ousman Jagne and Sulayman Faal bend a shot an inch wide.

After the intervals Samger continue to seat deep and Gunjur pick up from where they left, eagerly hunting the maximum points with some precision attacks. However, Gunjur forgets the gaps at the back and Samger exploits on a counter attack to breathe a sigh of relief on the 64th minutes when Mamadi Ngum tap home Sulayman Faal’s cross.

The goal sparks a furious moment as the players and officials of Gunjur ran to the first assistant referee in protest of a “plain offside” but, that is not how he perceives it.

Captains and match officials

Gunjur keeps fighting afterwards with Abubacarr Demba and Omar Touray both putting away equalizing chances but Samger’s patient and time wasting tricks prove crucial as they went on to win ugly. Anyone who is watching the proclaimed “Academy boys” for the first time will no doubt feel shock of the way a football academy team plays in the game instead that name would have been conferred to Gunjur if it was down to the judgement of the football on view at the Stadium.

However, one will not do justice to Samger if he does not recognize the performance of their midfield captain Botto Manneh who is the second man of the match behind Gunjur’s Omar Touray in my own ratings. Botto with his great vision, brilliant turns, neat and timely passes is a modern generation midfielder.

The win moves Samger level on points with Kexx United at the summit of the Gambia National Domestic Division Two League, while Gunjur hopes of a top four finish is dented a blow.