The Serekunda East outfit defeated the newcomers Jarra and Kiang United on penalties on Friday at the Independent stadium in Bakau. The match ended one all after regulation time with the LRR outfit unable to match their opponents in the bout.

The match started intensely with Serekunda East taking the lead inside the 5 minutes of the encounter. The JAKU goalkeeper, Musa Ceesay spilled an excellent free-kick from Omar John with the ball landing straight at striker Abdoulie Manneh, who wasted no time as he tapped the ball into the back of the net. JAKU almost equalized minutes later but the opportunity went in vain. In the 33 minute, the goalie of JAKU almost caused an unforgivable blunder when he decided to use his head instead of his hands to clear the ball inside his 18yard area. The ball landed once again to Abdoulie Manneh but the striker didn’t take the opportunity seriously as he volleyed into the sky.

Less than 2minutes after the keeper’s mistake which almost led to a goal, ill luck followed as the goalkeeper faulted again. Despite capturing the ball comfortably, he went for a high footed challenge and sent Omar John crashing to the ground. The central referee wasted no time in pointing to the penalty spot. Abdoulie Manneh decided to step in for the challenge and sent the ball ricocheting against the bar. The first-half ended with Serrekunda East enjoying a 1-0 lead.

After the break, JAKU’s struggle didn’t go in vain after all. In the 55 minute, Yaya Sanneh sent a low cross into the Serekunda East penalty area. The ball rolled freely and perfectly met Musa Drammeh inside the box. The star-man sent a devastating left-footed shot into the top corner. That goal sent the JAKU fans into an unimaginable jubilation. From that moment, Serekunda East dominated every department on the pitch and had several goal scoring chances from Abdoulie Manneh and Omar John, but they were all denied by the brilliant goalkeeper of JAKU, Musa Ceesay.

The game ended in a one all draw and both teams proceeded to a penalty shootout. JAKU scored their first two kicks but lost their last two spot-kicks while their opponents scored every kick they took the victory on a 4-2 win on the night.

Manjai will play Brikama in the first semi-final on today Monday, while Banjul plays Serekunda East on Tuesday at the Independence stadium at 4:30pm.

BY: Tumany Colley