B-Liga Ninth Round Summary - Pirates Champions?

Only a miracle scoreline next week will prevent Pearl Coast Pirates from picking up their second Broome Soccer Association B-Liga title in three years.

The men in black have capitalised on a superb early run to survive a late drop in form to go three points clear of rivals Hagan’s Heroes.

A Pirates goal difference of +20 means that Hagan’s will need to see off Broome City next week by a margin of 21 goals.

The men in black managed to see off NDFC 3-0 last week with Ken Goatley netting a hattrick to put the Pirates in their unassailable lead at the top of the table.

In the other match of the round, a stubborn Racing Guantanamo came up against Broome City, who were in a jubilant mood after seeing off Pearl Coast Pirates the week before.

Guantanamo were on a run of four defeats in a row, and were eager to break their duck against the Blues.

Irishman Joe Tighe was again the steadying hand at the heart of the Guantanamo defence as the Mighty Orange soaked up the pressure and hit City on the break.

Some deft touches by Chris Hingston and Ben Jones served their side well, but the killer blow was missing at the end.

As City struggled to get anything out of the game, Guantanamo came forward in greater numbers as they were desperate to get something out of the game.

Disaster struck with five minutes to go, as a momentary lapse in defence saw Broome City’s Jamie Lane thunder a shot past Orange goalkeeper Andy Chapman to get his side in front.

Guantanamo again pushed to get numbers forward, but were thwarted by a City team who got everyone behind the ball in the final few moments, resulting in the Mighty Orange going down to their fifth loss in a row.

Next week sees Hagan’s Heroes attempt to do the impossible against City, while Guantanamo travel to face NDFC, the loser of which will finish bottom of the table.