|
|
 |
| Absolutely perfect! |
Division 5:18 champions Sporting Lisburn turned on the style to defeat Hibees Redskins on Monday and ensure that Peter Abram's men finished the league campaign with an incredible 100% record.
It took only three minutes for Lisburn to take the lead as 19-year-old midfielder Byron Thomson fired in his first goal of the season from outside the penalty area. On 28 minutes Otto Ekstrand, who was making his return from injury, made it 2-0 with a deft header. That goal made it ten for the season for the young Swedish forward, the first time that he has registered double figures.
Lisburn caught the hosts napping five minutes after half time when defender Evert Bohlin found himself one-on-one with Hibees goalkeeper Rudi Hofmeister. The 19-year-old found great composure to slot the ball home for his first of the season and Lisburn's 50th of the league campaign.
Gabriel Rotham reduced the deficit for Hibees on 69 minutes as Lisburn conceded only their third goal this term. However, defender Ossian Bergendorff restored the three goal advantage with a trademark free-kick four minutes later, after failing to trouble Hofmeister with a couple of sighters earlier in the game.
Hibees Redskins had won every home game this season up 'til now as Lisburn, the only team to beat them in the league, displayed the same dominance over their hosts as they have shown over the rest of the division.
"We knew that we would not have it all our own way today," parped Lisburn manager Abram. "Hibees have been great at home, scoring for fun."
"But we were very professional and took hold of the game in the first half. The players were determined to get that 100% record. There was no question of taking their foot off the gas when the title was won."
"Hibees are a fantastic side and we wish them all the best in the playoffs. They deserve to go up."
After the game Abram also expressed his delight at his side's perfect league record.
"To not only go unbeaten, but to win every match - home and away - is remarkable. This group of players have been part of something very special. They have made history, and they will never, ever forget this."
"The hard work starts now though. We got a taste for how difficult it will be in Division 4 from our playoff experience last season."
"There are areas of the squad which require strengthening, especially with losing the experience of the retiring Hermínio and Odi. But as ever, we will be prepared and ready for the challenge of the new season ahead."
|
|
|
|
|
 |