Lions End Winless Streak with Derby Comeback Victory

Lions End Winless Streak with Derby Comeback Victory

The agonizing wait is finally over for the East End Lions faithful! After a frustrating six-game start to the season without a victory, the 'Killers' finally delivered a performance worthy of their nickname, securing their first three points with a dramatic 2–1 comeback win over fierce rivals Old Edwardians in a captivating derby clash.

The National Stadium was a cauldron of noise as the two Freetown giants locked horns, but it was the visitors who initially stunned the home crowd. Old Edwardians came out with intent and were rewarded when James Jusu Kanja slotted home the opener, giving the 'May Park Boys' a crucial early lead and piling the pressure onto a Lions side desperate to break their frustrating drought.

However, East End Lions displayed the kind of resilience their fans have been yearning for. They refused to let the deficit define their afternoon, and the tide began to turn when the referee awarded them a pivotal penalty. Stepping up to the spot was Guinean international Sam Diallo, who showed ice-cold composure to send the keeper the wrong way, calmly leveling the score and injecting a much-needed shot of confidence into the side.

The equalizer set the stage for a tense, end-to-end second half. Both teams pressed hard for the decisive goal, but the Lions' persistence eventually paid off. The man who had leveled the score, Sam Diallo, turned provider, delivering a pinpoint cross into the box. Rising highest above the Old Edwardians defence, Sulaiman S. Kargbo connected perfectly, sending a superb header into the back of the net to complete the dramatic comeback.

The final whistle was met with an explosion of pure relief and elation from the East End Lions camp. The 2–1 victory marks more than just their first win of the campaign; it's a monumental psychological boost after a difficult opening stretch. The Lions will be hoping this hard-fought derby triumph is the spark they need to finally kickstart their season and begin their ascent up the league table. For Old Edwardians, it is a bitter pill to swallow, having let a crucial early advantage slip away in such a high-stakes encounter.