Sanna Nyassi’s magnificent half-volley helped Gambia Ports Authority beat Hawks United 1-0 in their game-in-hand fixture played at Serrkunda West Mini-stadium on Wednesday.

The hard-fought 1-0 victory saw the league’s defending champions close the gap on the league leaders, Wallidan, to one point.

Wednesday’s game was a heated and fiercely contested one that saw both sides fight to the best of their ability. However, Sanna Nyassi dampened Hawks’ hope when he slotted home a fascinating half-volley just from the edge of the box.

Fresh from break Hawks were determined to avoid their first defeat to mount pressure on the Ports Authority defence. On the 54th minute, Ports keeper, Ebrima Manneh, nearly gave Hawks a leveler when he left his goal post and failed to the catch trickily-kicked ball.

Moments later, GPA’s Haji Tunkara astonishingly saw his bicycle kick passed inches from the woodwork. On the 70th minute, Hawks officials cried foul when the centre referee ignored a penalty claim at GPA goal post and another just three minutes later. Pa Modou Jagne nearly stretched Ports lead in the 80th minute when his header bounced off the woodwork after Dawda Sey’s weighted cross into Hawks box.

In a post-match interview with Observer Sports, Ports Authority coach Alhagi Sarr said, “It was a game we needed most after drawing our last two matches. It was not easy for us however, because Hawks is a big side and any team playing with them should be prepared and we were prepared.”

His counterpart Joe Gomez owes the defeat to the centre referee.

“We played a good game but the referee said we will lose and we lost. We had two plain penalties but the referee will not blow the whistle,” coach Gomez said.

League Standing

Team P W D L GD Pts

1. Wallidan 8 4 3 1 4 15

2. GPA 7 4 2 1 5 14

3. Hawks 7 3 3 1 2 12

4. Gamtel 8 3 3 2 2 12

5. Real 7 3 2 2 1 11

6. Sea View 7 3 1 3 0 10

7. Sait Matty 8 2 1 5 -6

7 8. A/Forces 4 1 2 1 1 5

9.Steve Biko 7 0 5 2 -2 5

10. B/United 7 0 2 5 -7 2