MONROVIA, Montserrado – After no registered victories in the first round of quarterfinal games in the ongoing National County Sports Meet, excitement returned to the tournament, with wins for Monsterrado and Maryland.
Having played four games without a win, Monsterrado collected their first victory of the competition with a narrow 1-0 win over one of this year’s favorites, Grand Cape Mount.
A lone strike from substitute Joseph Zayzay was enough to hand Samuel Sumo’s team their first victory.
Monsterrado’s Joseph Zayzay. Photo: T. Kla Wesley Jr.
With the three points collected and a game left, Monsterrado stands a clear chance of reaching the semifinals. They will play a struggling River Gee in their final group match and will need at least a draw to seal a semifinal spot.
Meanwhile, Maryland continues to show their strength in the competition with their third victory from five games played so far. The Southeastern boys are one of the three counties that qualified for the quarterfinals with seven points, winning two and drawing one during the initial group stage.
They kicked off the quarterfinal campaign with a 1-1 draw to Montserrado, despite having much of the possession in the match. Maryland took a step closer to the semifinals with a 2-0 win over River Gee in its second quarterfinal match.
Two late goals from Aflah Allison and Joe Dennis took Maryland to the top of Group A with four points from two games.
Maryland began the match as the better side, taking most of the possession with well-coordinated ball passes, but was unable to take the lead, having missed several chances. The best opportunity came in the 26th minute when Alvin Allison was brought down in River Gee’s penalty area but River Gee’s shot stopper, Victor Swen, kept the score goalless after he denied Victor Allison an opportunity from the spot kick.
Swen continued his brilliant form in goal for River Gee as both sides failed to get a goal before the first half break.
Both teams showed their class after the break, but it was Maryland that set the stadium ablaze after an 86th goal from Aflah Allison. The skillful forward shot from within River Gee’s penalty area to give Maryland the much needed lead.
Musa Kamara came close to leveling the score few seconds later, but missed a one-on-one opportunity to shoot the ball off target. The match was finally laid to rest in the 90th minute after Joe Dennis doubled the lead for Maryland.
Aflah Allison. Photo: T. Kla Wesley Jr.
Maryland will need to avoid defeat in their final match against Grand Cape Mount County if they are to reach the semifinals.
Featured photo by T. Kla Wesley Jr.
