By: Mohamed Abu Conteh
Port Authority Football Club on 18th November 2022 defeated Freetown City Council in a post-game penalty by four goals to three at the Brima Attougia Mini Stadium in the Thomas Daddy Brima Pre-Season Gala competition.
The match is described as a derby between the two teams because they are both using the same Venue for training and hosting their matches in the Sierra Leone Premier League. When the match started both sides came close in the first half as the strikers tested either Goalkeeper but solid defending helped to maintain the match goalless in the first half, although towards the closing stage of the first half the council’s Boys hit three shots on target that could give them the lead the shot stopped of Port Authority FC maintain his goal line throughout the match in the first half.
After recess, both teams came into the pitch for the continuation of the second half, as it was the pace from both sides as neither doesn’t want to lose to each, Freetown City Council midfielder Edward Cole was exceptional in the match as he came so close deep in the second half with SKY rocket shot that could have snatched the win for his side, but the Port Authority solid defence work was outstanding in the entire match. On the other hand, Port Authority Football Club makes some chances deep in the second half, as one of their fresh-leg strikers mid-way through could have done the task but missed a glorious chance to give his side the valued win but the match settle for a post-match penalty.
Hassan Milla Sesay the assistant coach of the Port Authority said “We are happy for thee to win the match; we are still in the pre-season preparation ahead of the new season of the Sierra Leone Premier League season.” We have signed eight players ahead of the season we want to see how we get our systems right because last season we struggle with our system right, but now we have seen a huge improvement in it, and we going to work on it in our training grounds before we kick off with our first match in Premier League this season.
He affirmed that the players have mastered the systems, although the area of goal-scoring has been a key area that has been a worried some, but is going to fix up as they have brought four strikers to help with that problem in the field play.
Hassan Milla Sesay called on the fans of Port Authority Football Club to rally behind their team and gives their support whenever the team plays.
Patrick Bangura the head coach of Freetown City Council said he feels disappointed with his boy’s performance in the match because they could have taken their chances it could have been a different story, but it was because in a penalty shootout the lucky side carry the day at end of the day.
Port Authority Football Club will now face FC Johansen Football Club in the Finals on Monday in the Thomas Daddy’s Brima Pre-season Gala Competition.