Oilers Can Go
Unbeaten
Oilers Goal tender Saylee Swen
Star studded LPRC Oilers seem buoyant in the on going championship
chase of the top flight as they remain the only unbeaten side in the
competition.
A week ago, the premiership looked liked a three-prong tie involving
Barrack Young Controllers (BYC), Mighty Barrolle and LPRC Oilers.
But, the pendulum soon turned in the Oilers favor exclusively as BYC
had an unpalatable 180 minute with defeats against the Rollers and
the Oil Boys (3-0 and 2-1 ) respectively.
LISCR then got the better of Barrolle, courtesy of a 2-0 pinning,
thus giving the Oilers bragging rights of being the only unbeaten
side so far in the 18 teams melee.
With 10 games played, the team with a host of dressing room
heavyweights (Players who have stayed very long on the team), the
petroleum boys are with 24 points, fourteen goals for and just four
against.
Their solid defensive play which has so far made them the most
stingy defense in the league, coupled with a gritty midfield and a
gradually becoming clinical attack, the Oilers are certainly the
firm favorites in the LFA top flight.
A galaxy of local stars including Isaac Tondo, once lethal finisher
for the senior national team the Lone Star ( a brace each against
Gambia and Mauritius and a solitary against Senegal) are just few of
the many goals he netted in for the red, white and blue outfit.
Though a fringe member of the Oilers, Tondo's presence for the team
when given the chance seem to be intimidating to the opposition.
Then, there is Robert Teah, a towering holding midfielder who has
won so many caps for country. His lithe marking, upper body strength
and precision passing are all eye catchers.
The pacy winger Johnny Blidi who styled for one of Africa's most
accomplished clubs, Accra Hearts of Oak as well as the Lone Star is
another danger man on the squad.
Hoff Fannoh, two times top goal scorer in the LFA Second Division
and Premiership is another player whose presence is making the team
hopeful of silverware this season.
Though currently experiencing goal famine, the pin-sized assasin has
the knack of turning things around on a day just with a Midas touch.
It would be a miscarriage of justice were one to keep the eccentric
goal tender Saylee Swen in Oblivion. His nerve wrecking saves,
superb penalty conversions and leadershhip ability from between the
sticks has made the Liberian international inarguably the best in
the country.
Captain Shelton Barlee who has not had the full time to marshal his
back line due to bereavement is said to be ready to join his fellow
international teammates to reign havoc on the opposition.
The diminutive Bill Payto is also another formidable face in the
teams backline.
Box of tricks Victor Careca Nyanti who got the brace against BYC and
the sublimely gifted left footed all-rounder Jacob Toe (both ex-LISCR
players) are as well important members of the Oilers.
There are a host of these local stage veterans keeping the Oilers
alive. With the blending of some promising youngsters in the form of
adventurous left footer Ernest Karneh, tigerish midfielder Emmanuel
Jackson, alias 'Michael Ballack', sprinting talismanic finisher
William Jebor, the oilers have set their sight on the top prize.
Under the tutelage of ex-player and international Gabriel Johns who
is assisted by former international goalie Lucretius Togba,
ex-international goalkeeper Steve Lumeh and former Oilers marauding
midfielder George Doe, the 1988 Confederation of African Football (CAF)
then Cup Winners Cup quarter finalists have a massive technical crew
that is keen to lead the Oilers win their fourth premiership crown.
They don't just want to win it in an ordinary fashion they, they
want to do so with much panache, and the chorus from their camp is
"we will maintain our unbeaten run and win the league". Only the
bravest of sides would want to engage a team with such form, aura
and conviction. But, in continuation of the LFA Premiership, a
little club in the form of Paynesville Young Controllers Jubilee has
the mammoth task to engage them this Friday, May, 15, and whether
they are truly ready or is just bravado is what will be made known
at the end of the fray.
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