Oilers Settle to Goalless Draw against LISCR
LISCR’s Sheku Sheriff in possession of the ball and being marked by Oilers’ Ebenezer Solo.
Defending champions LPRC Oilers drew 0-0 with LISCR FC in their second home match of the 2021/22 Orange First Division League season on match day 2 at the Tusa Field on Sunday.
Although both Oilers and LISCR are no strangers in the Orange national league, Sunday’s clash was another entertaining one as hundreds of spectators turned out at the Tusa Field in Gardnersville.
From the performance of both teams in their first round of matches, Oilers appeared to be the favorites for Sunday’s match, but LISCR put out a decent away performance. LISCR had the chance to take an early lead as youngster Joseph Melto drove his way through from the right flank to fire in a right-foot strike that was diverted over the crossbar by goalkeeper Eshaka Jalloh in the 7th minute.
A Sheku Sheriff’s free-kick from the edge of the box in the 14th minute could have resulted in a goal, but defender Sampson Dweh was quick enough to head it out for a corner. Less than three minutes later, LISCR again came close to getting the opener through Christopher Jackson’s header after midfielder Sheriff sent in a volley.
Oilers had a couple of chances through forwards Darlington Weah and Jestino Jackson. Weah got a loose ball in LISCR’s defense, but misdirected his shot over the crossbar, while Jackson’s right foot shot, midway through the first half, rolled inches away from the goalpost.
The game became more entertaining in the second and final half as both teams raised the tempo and made a couple of changes. Forward Melto kept driving his way through the left angle of the Oilers’ defense, but could not perfectly direct his passes to connect his teammates.
Oilers on the other hand also kept LISCR defenders on their back foot through several counter attacks, but the finishing touches remained the stumbling block.
“I am happy with the result and the performance of my team. The game of football goes along with chances and we created a couple of chances, but I think what is more important to me is my strategy and game approach that we were able to work with to earn a point,” Oilers Head Coach Cooper Sannah told journalists in his post-match interview.
Both Oilers and LISCR have now collected four points from their first two games in the new league season.
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