By Taromane Martin
SOLOMON Warriors FC walked away with a 2-1 victory over Marist FC yesterday as both teams continue their preparations for this month’s Oceania Football Champions League.
The two teams met in their first of two friendly matches at the Lawson Tama Stadium, which is set to host Group D of the competition which Marist is pooled inside.
Tricky Gagame Feni scored the first goal for Warriors, blasting a powerful low left foot shot past Marist goal keeper Anthony Talo half way into the first half.
Marist responded through veteran Abraham Iniga after a Davidson Tome cross from the left flank was misjudged by Warriors goal keeper Izomo Bird, allowing Iniga an easy header for the equalizer.
Warriors regrouped in the second half, dominating possession and saw it pay off 30 minutes into the second half, Vanuatu import John Alick scoring inside Talo’s box to seal the win.
“Good friendly match. I want to thank Marist for giving us a good game. In fact it we both needed the friendly match in our preparation towards the OFC Champions League.
“To be honest this is our first game together as a team after a long break. Not bad however a lot of things were exposed today which we need to work on,” Solomon Warriors Head Coach Moses Toata said after the game.
Marist FC Head Coach Jerry Allen also shared the same view saying the friendly matches will help him and Toata to identify areas to improve on before the Champions League kicks off.
“I’m really happy with the friendly game. In fact we both needed the friendly game because we don’t have the chance to go out and play friendly matches,” he said.
“The only way is to do it here. From there it will help us coaches measure where the combination level is at.
“I don’t care about the result. I wanted to see their organization whether the boys still remember them or have already forgotten them.
“So yeah the friendly match is good for our preparations to host the OFC Champions League here,” Coach Allen said.
Warriors and Marist will meet 3:30pm this Sunday for their second friendly match at the Lawson tama Stadium.
