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Match report: Junior Lone Star 4 – 1 BuxMont Torch

Junior Lone Star FC, in their home opener, defeated BuxMont Torch FC 4–1 on Sunday to win their first game of the 2012 National Premier Soccer League season. Junior Lone Star FC led 3–1 going into the half. Moses Jackson scored the first two goals for the Stars in the 8th and 10th minute before assisting Fornatee Brapoh with the Stars’ third goal in the 37th minute. BuxMont Torch FC pulled a goal back at the stroke of half time through Juan Nino. BuxMont Torch FC had majority of the possession in the second half but Junior Lone Star FC added another goal in the 85th minute through substitute Menuh Wiah to make the score line 4–1.

First Half

Before the match, the Stars knew that any result other than a win would be unacceptable after losing their first two games in this season’s opening weekend. So, it was no surprise that the Stars took an early lead in the 8th minute when forward Moses Jackson found himself free inside the six yard box to knock the ball at the back of the net after a fierce shot from Dan Doe on the right had hit the post.

Two minutes later, Jackson was on the score sheet again. Midfielder Fatoma Turay ran with the ball from the middle of the pitch before being dispossessed by a defender but the ball fell through to Moses Jackson who wasted no time in beating the goalkeeper at his near post.

Moses Jackson turned from scorer to provider when he set up strike partner Fornatee Brapoh with the third goal. After dribbling past two defenders, Jackson sent a through pass to Brapoh whose one touch strike sent the ball into the roof of the net in the 37th minute to put the Stars up 3–0.

Being three goals down, Head Coach Daniel Byrd decided to bring in the cavalry in the 42nd minute: Mangum, Josh Edgar, and Pereus came in for Hussey, Lartey, and Kryzwecki, respectively. Those substitutions paid off immediately as the Torch were able to pull one back through Juan Nino in the 44th minute. An inviting cross from the right saw Nino with a free header that goalkeeper Monyan parried but Nino follow through to score the rebound to give the Torch hope going into the second half.

Second Half

In the second half, the Torch had majority of the possession but they just couldn’t find a way behind a stingy Stars’ defense led by captain Mohammed Mayah, Samuel Fahnboto, Amadou Sheriff, James Geayea, and Prince Monyan in goal.

Looking to shape things up, Head Coach Bobby Ali and Assistant Coach Michael Tuffour decided to bring in more fresh legs to stifle the attacks from the Torch. In came Lawrence Brown for Titus Wright in the 55th minute followed by Mohamed Camara in for the Stars’ third goal scorer Fornatee Brapoh in the 61st minute. Those changes almost paid off but Mohamed Camara somehow missed a sitter after forward Moses Jackson had put him clean on goal. Unfortunately, he volleyed over the bar from just two yards out.

Not sitting idly, the Torch brought in Matt Finkbeiner for Jesse Sharp in the 70th minute and Seth Mangum for Doug Schmitt in the 75th minute while the Stars brought in Mitchell Torh for Dan Doe in the 70th minute as well as Jerome Pour for two-goal scorer Moses Jackson in the 75th minute, Menuh Wiah for Fane Ayouba in the 77th minute, Amah Dunoh for Amadou Sheriff in the 83rd minute, and Amadu Fofana for Fatoma Turay in the 84th minute.

With the game winding down and as the clock slowly approaching full time, Junior Lone Star FC struck again. This time, substitute Menuh Wiah, who has just been on the field for eight minutes, capitalized on an error from goalie Berry to score in an open net for his second goal of the season and the fourth goal for the Stars in the match.

With that win, Junior Lone Star FC (1-2-0) moved up to fourth on the NPSL Keystone Conference table while BuxMont Torch FC (0-1-0) remained at the bottom. Junior Lone Star FC will be on the road away to Morris County Colonials FC (2-0-0) on Wednesday, June 6 and Jersey City Eagles FC (1-2-0) on Friday, June 8 before playing their next home game against AC Crusaders (1-2-0) on Sunday, June 10 at 6pm at the Northeast High School’s Charles Martin Memorial Stadium in Philadelphia, PA.

JUNIOR LONE STAR FC: Monyan, Mayah, Geayea, Fahnboto, Sheriff (Dunoh, 83′), Fane (Wiah, 77′), Turay (Fofana A, 84′), Wright T (Brown, 55′), Jackson M (Pour, 75′), Doe (Torh, 70′), Brapoh (Camara, 61′).

Goals: Jackson (8′ & 10′} Brapoh (37′) Wiah (85′).
Booked:  Ayouba
Player of the Match: Jackson

BUXMONT TORCH FC: Berry, Edgar M, Hussey (Mangum 42′, Schmitt 75′), Phillips, Stene, Nino, Lartey (Edgar J, 42′), Fulton, Kryzwecki (Pereus, 42′), Bruce (Lumbayi, 46′), Sharp (Finkbeiner, 70′). Subs not used: Hoffman

Goals: Nino (44′).
Booked: Edgar J
Player of the Match: Nino

Referee: Stanford Nagle (USA)
Attendance: 200

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