Makuru and Koloale both scored resounding wins in this weeks DJ league, while Kossa and Marist entertained the most exciting match of the round during a 3-3 draw.

Makuru 5, Rangers 0

MAKURU lived up to expectations as they thrashed Rangers 5-0 on Tuesday in the DJ League Premier Division match at Lawson Tama Stadium.

The game got off to a slow start with both teams struggling to find the opening goal. The game went on for almost 20 minutes without any side posing a threat to the opposition goalkeeper.

The lack of chances ended shortly after the 20th minute mark when national striker Commins Menapi blasted a low left footed shot for Makuru.

It went past the Rangers defender only to be saved by Newton Billy the Rangers goalkeeper. This gave the experienced Makuru sides some confidence to press harder for an opener.

They almost got their first goal when George Lui cleverly cut in through his marker into the penalty area. He launched a powerful shot on target but it was saved again by the Rangers keeper.

Rangers showed their determination and also put some pressure on Makuru through Godwin Bebeu and Willie Riqeo in midfield.

But it was just a matter of time before Makuru scored their goal and they did so in the 36th minute through their top all time striker Batram Suri.

Suri received the ball on the edge of the box before beating the last defender and brilliantly placed the ball past the opponent’s goalkeeper.

Suri almost made it two just minutes later after hitting a rebound from a John Anita shot.

But it was just another fine save from the Rangers goalkeeper denying Makuru from further extending their lead in the first half.

Rangers also had their fair share of chances in the first half and always looked threatning. Despite of this the score remained at 1-0 at half time.

Makuru came out strong in the second stanza and opened the floodgates as they gave the Rangers keeper a busy half trying to stop the brace of chances.

Rangers good performance in the first half was let down by some weak defence in the second spell.

In the 53rd minute John Anita made a superb run down the right flank and delivered a low cross into the goal for Batram Suri.

Suri dummied over the ball leaving George Lui to place the ball into the net for the second goal. From then on it was all Makuru and they dictated the game.

Lui struck again in the 65th minute after Menapi and Batram Suri were 2 on 1 on a Rangers defender before squaring the ball to Lui. He finished it off for his second goal of the game and third for Makuru.

Menapi made it 4-0 with a powerful header from an Anita cross from the right.

Godwin Bebeu almost restored some pride for Rangers blasting a left shot but was saved by Makurus’ goalkeeper.

Minutes later it was Bebeu again on the move blasting another left footed cross. This time, to the far post but it was not enough to beat the Solympic goalkeeper Leon Lekezoto.

Substitute Lyson Wate who came in for Menapi scored the fifth goal in the 88th minute to give Makuru the much deserved three points.

Matches played on Saturday 18th October 2008

Koloale vs K1 United (6-1)

Koloale with the inclusion of Melbourne-based Henry Fa’arodo Jnr and Joses Nawo were expected to win this game though the scoreline did not reflect the nature and tempo of the match.

K1 United- who currently sit in second-last place in the Premier league  – held their own in the possession stakes but their strikers failed to capitalize on the opportunities created for them. K1 now needs to win their remaining matches to avoid relegation.

Both Fa’arodo and Nawo were amongst the goal scorers for Koloale and looked in good form ahead of their O-League opener against Ba on November 2nd.

The two bottom placed teams in the Premier league will be relegated to division one at the end of this current season.

Kossa vs Marist (3-3)

This clash between the two former O-league representatives was billed as the match of the day and it lived up to the hype with an exciting rollercoaster of a match.

Both sides had lost some influential players and Kossa were without goal poacher James Naka while Marist lost a number of senior players who have signed with Papua New Guinea’s NSL Club, Hekari Souths United FC.

It was a cagey match with referee Nelson Sogo kept busy with a constant stream of yellow cards. Both sides had to settle for a point in an entertaining match that kept the crowd alive throughout.