Gunjur became the first side to reach the last four of the on-going Muhammed Yahya Jammeh Perpetual Zonal competition after a hard-fought 1-0 win against Sukuta at the Serrekunda West Mini-Stadium last evening.

Yusupha Barrow’s 28th minute solo was enough to fetch the whole three points for the Gunjur side who finished the keenly contested tie with nine men. Striker Pa Modou Jatta and last night’s lone goal scorer were all sent off by referee Mawdo Jallow, though the numerical disadvantage did little to dent Gunjur’s hopes of securing their second win in the eight-zone competition.

After a 2-1 sweet victory against the so-called giants - Bakau - in their opener last weekend, Gunjur went into last night’s tie needing the maximum points to confirm their spot in the last four. However, the dethroned champions, Sukuta, looked set to deny them the dream as early as the 5th minute when goalkeeper Ousman Janneh struggled to parry Anfal Sonko’s weighted header for a corner.

The Sukutarians went ahead to enjoy every touch of the ball only for Gunjur to puzzle them in the 28th minute with a fascinating opener - courtesy of Yusupha Barrow. Moments before the end of the first interval, the vociferous Gunjur fans watched in disbelief as their goal scorer against Bakau was given his marching out order.

Fresh from the break, a more defensive Gunjur side emerged as they relied on their lone striker Barrow up front. Their tactics seemed to work well but in the 70th minute, panic gripped the Gunjur bench when Yusupha Barrow received a second yellow.

Lamin Darboe made a neat run in the Sukuta territory before setting up his forward partner in Sukuta’s six yard box, but Barrow could only get a red card after going down in a bid to win a penalty.

Despite the numerical disparity however, the determined Gunjur side went ahead to create some scoring chances with Sukuta’s best chance coming in the 65th minute when Nuha Janneh tested keeper Ousman Janneh with his floating free kick, which was tipped out for a corner.

After garnering six points in two matches, Gunjur will go into their final group clash against the second-placed side Serrekunda West with  more relaxed legs on Saturday.

Without having to rely on the results in the group’s other clash between Bakau and Sukuta on the same day, Serrekunda West will be assured of a place in the semis as the group’s runners up if they secure the three points against the already-qualified Gunjur.