Savusavu created a major upset when they beat Angel Mackerel Tavua 3-2 at Garvey Park to claim their first super premier division victory since being promoted last season. Epeli Deyama was the hero as his 75th minute goal proved to be the match winner.
Apete Ratu had given Tavua an early 3rd minute lead. Savusavu coming off a 4-1 loss at the hands of Weet-Bix Shop N Save Lautoka were eager for their first victory as Fedrick Bukaloka equalised for them18 minutes later. Tavua regrouped and cut short Savusavu’s celebration as Samuela Uluikadavu regained the lead for the home side.
Knowing they were still not out of the contest Savusavu pressured the Tavua defence and were rewarded when Taniela Levea found the back of net.
Both sides tried hard in the second half but it was Deyama who struck to give Savusavu their first competition points.
Eslewhere Labasa took advantage of 10-men Bic Power Electric Suva to sneak in a goal two minutes from full time to win their third match in a row at a wet and heavy TFL National Stadium.
Suva’s Apisai Smith was cautioned for the second time in the 87th minute and was sent off by referee Ravitesh Behari. Labasa made good use of this opportunity and Taniela Waqa to score the winning goal of the match a minute later.
Labasa returns home with six valuable competition points following wins over Royal Tea Nadi 3-0 Friday at Prince Charles Park and Suva 1-0 at TFL National Stadium. They share top spot with Lautoka who are also with nine points after three matches.
Meanwhile the highly anticipated Skipper Tuna Southern Forest Navua versus the 4R Electrical Ba match at Thomson Park was called off by referee Rakesh Varman just ten minutes in the first spell. Varman said the heavy rain saw the pitch water logged with lightning and thunder also experienced at the venue.
Fiji Sun/Weet-Bix National Football League
Sunday March 6, 2011
Full Time: Nivea Savusavu 3 Angel Mackerel Tavua 2
Savusavu Goals: Fedrick Bukaloka 21”: Taniela Levea 35”: Epeli Deyama 75”
Savusavu Caution: Zahid Hussain 85’
Tavua Goals: Apete Ratu 3”: Samuela Uluikadavu 27”
Tavua Caution: Apete Ratu 43’: Ravinesh Chand 47’; Lekima Rokolisoa 65”; Pradeep Singh 87”
Garvey Park, 3pm
Skipper Tuna Southern Forest Navua vs Energizer 4R Electrical Ba
*Referee Rakesh Varman calls off the match, ten minutes in the first half: Heavy conditions, ground was water logged; lightning and thunder experienced
3pm Thomson Park, Navua
Full Time: Puma Labasa 1 Bic Power Electric Suva 0
Labasa Goal: Taniela Waqa 88”
Labasa Caution: Kushal Naicker 89’:
Suva Caution: Apisai Smith 45’: Leone Damudamu 81’: Apisai Smith 87’
Suva Sent Off: Apisai Smith 87’
3.30pm TFL National Stadium , Suva
Northerners come out on top
