HONIARA – Marist FC have taken the lead at the top of the DJ Graphics Premier League after a resounding 4-0 win over Hana FC at AE Oval on the weekend. Marist FC’s victory gives them a slender one point lead at the top of the table over Naha FC with Uncles FC and Koloale FC two points further back.
Marist’s margin of victory boosts its healthy goal difference and makes the club the top goalscorers in this season’s competition with 12 strikes.
Hana FC’s arch-rivals Naha FC continued their ascent up the ladder with an equally impressive 4-0 win over K1 United. Naha FC propel themselves into second place with three wins from four matches. Unlike Marist, Naha FC has conceded seven goals in just four matches, a strong hint that their championship hopes could rest on repairing a defence that depends on its strikeforce to bail them out of trouble.
Last season’s O-League runners-up, Kossa FC, finally had something to smile about this season when they defeated Laugu United 1-0 at Lawson Tama Stadium in Saturday’s late match at the national venue. Coach Jacob Moli has seen his team struggle to replicate its National Clubs Championship and O-League form that took it to within 90 minutes of a FIFA Club World Cup berth in Japan in December.
The win gives Kossa FC’s top four playoff hopes a kick-start but there will be plenty of work left to do for his charges if they hope to return to the top of Solomon Islands domestic football.
In the race for the Golden Shoe Award a fascinating jostle for Solomon Islands leading marksman is underway.
Makuru FC’s former Youngheart Manawatu attacking midfielder, Alick Maemae, leads the way with four goals, but he shares top spot with Lawrence Foanaota of Naha FC and Nathan Kera of Marist FC. Koloale FC’s Ezra Sale, Rangers FC’s Godwin Bebeu, Zome Mars United’s James Naka and Uncles FC’s cultured midfield ace, Judd Molea, have all scored three a piece.
* Discipline in this season’s DJ Graphics Premier Division has seen an staggering 76 yellow cards and 7 red cards dished out after four rounds of action. The DJ Graphics Premier Division is only a one round competition with team’s playing 11 matches before the competition breaks into a Play-Off with the top four clubs.
DJ GRAPHICS PREMIER DIVISION
STANDINGS 22.09.08
| PL |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
PTS |
GD |
||
| 1. |
Marist FC |
4 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
12 |
3 |
10 |
+9 |
| 2 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
10 |
7 |
9 |
+3 |
|
| 3. |
Uncles FC |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
8 |
2 |
8 |
+6 |
| 4. |
Koloale FC |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
7 |
5 |
8 |
+2 |
| 5. |
Makuru FC |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
2 |
7 |
+6 |
| 6. |
Kossa FC |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
7 |
+3 |
| 7. |
Rangers FC |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
8 |
6 |
7 |
+2 |
| 8. |
Zome Mars |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
8 |
4 |
-1 |
| 9. |
Hana FC |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
8 |
4 |
-5 |
| 10. |
K1 United |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
4 |
15 |
3 |
-11 |
| 11. |
Laugu United |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
8 |
0 |
-5 |
| 12. |
Sunbeam FC |
4 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
12 |
0 |
-9 |
DJ GRAPHICS PREMIER LEAGUE
RESULTS 20.09.08
Marist FC vs. Hana FC 4-0
K1 United vs. Naha FC 0-4
Laugu United vs. Kossa FC 0-1
DJ GRAPHICS GOLDEN SHOE AWARD
1. Alick MAEMAE (Makuru FC) 4
2. Lawrence FOANATA (Naha FC) 4
3. Nathan KERA (Marist FC) 4
4. Ezra SALE (Koloale FC) 3
5. Godwin BEBEU (Rangers FC) 3
6. James NAKA (Zome Mars United) 3
7. Judd MOLEA (Uncles FC) 3