By Hassan Osman Kargbo
In what was an exhilarating match at the Approved School Field, East End Lions sailed past ‘Freetonians’ SLIFA with a commanding 2-0 victory, continuing their impressive unbeaten run in the league.
The win, marked by goals from Musa Bangura and Alie Conteh, showcased the Lions’ growing dominance in the league.
Right from the outset, East End Lions exhibited a level of composure and determination that left little doubt about their intentions. The first goal came from Musa Bangura in the 19th minute, who capitalized on an opportunity created from a well-placed passed.
His agile movement and sharp finishing set the tone for the rest of the match and sent a clear message to SLIFA that they were there to claim three points.
Just six minutes later, the Lions doubled their lead with another spectacular goal, this time from Alie Conteh in the 25th minute.
Conteh’s goal was a testament to East End Lions’ fluid attacking play. Receiving a pass just outside the box, he turned swiftly and unleashed a powerful strike that found the back of the net, leaving the home goalkeeper with little chance to respond. The early two-goal lead put SLIFA on the back foot and shifted the momentum firmly in the favor of the visitors.
Despite the early deficit, SLIFA attempted to rally and find a way back into the match. The hosts had moments of possession but struggled to create meaningful chances against a disciplined East End Lions defence.
The Lions, who have yet to face defeat this season, showed a resolute defensive performance led by their commanding backline. The visitors’ captain and midfield powerhouse, Samuel Kwaku Bekoe, was instrumental in controlling the game’s tempo, winning crucial battles in the midfield, and orchestrating the play from deep.
For his exceptional performance, Bekoe was awarded Man of the Match, a deserving accolade for his influence on the pitch.
As the match progressed, Freetonians looked to regain their footing, pushing forward more aggressively in pursuit of a goal. However, their efforts were met with a wall of resistance as East End Lions maintained their composure and discipline to keep the home side at bay. As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard reflected a well-deserved victory for the Lions, who are now positioned strongly in the league.
This win marks East End Lions’ fourth match in which they have done extremely well. Their impressive record stands at two wins and two draws, making them a formidable opponent as the season progresses.
In contrast, SLIFA’s record now stands at one win and two defeats, a statistic they will need to address quickly if they hope to climb the league standings.
East End Lions’ solid display against SLIFA underlines their ambitions this season, as they look to maintain their unbeaten run.
Under the leadership of Samuel Kwaku Bekoe and with players like Musa Bangura and Alie Conteh stepping up when it matters most, the Lions are certainly a team to watch. For SLIFA, the path to improvement lies in their ability to regroup and adapt before their next challenge—lessons learned from today’s match could be pivotal as they seek to regain their rhythm in the league.
