The match ended controversially due to a technicality but eventually the win was awared to Honiara West. The controversy stemmed from a late Honiara West goal which was supposedly scored after the signal from the timekeeper that the match had ended.
But the match officials ruled that the referee had not ended the game yet and, thus, the goal was legally scored.
Bilikiki Sliders enjoyed a slight upperhand in ball possession in the early stages but it took them eight minutes to score through Robert Laua. The scores were quickly level though when Clement Liliomea replied in the 10th minute.
Fredrick Dola then gave Honiara West the lead when he scored two minutes into the second period and their way to victory seemed set when Luke Kabitana extended the advantage to 3-1.
But McPhillip Aisa kept Bilikiki Sliders in touch when he scored just before the period ended. The Sliders then opened the third period confidently and Aisa equalised just after the restart before Ian Ngahugari put them in front with a spectacular long range shot.
But Honiara West were not out of the contest and scored twice through Selson Lafuia and Luke Kabitana before the final whistle to finish with a narrow victory.
The 3rd/4th place play-off earlier in the day was won by Bilikiki Fliers. They defeated Kossa 6-3 in a closely-fought contest which the Bilikiki side won through experience and better ball handling on the sand.
Ben Hibiscus top performed for the Fliers by scoring three goals while veteran Gideon Omokirio followed closely behind with two strikes. Harrison Mala was Kossa’s top player in the match with the youngster displaying a natural talent for the code by finding the net twice to help his team to a respectable finish.
A date for the next edition of the competition will be announced next week.
For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb

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