The Shop and Save Lautoka side continued their fine form in the Fiji Sun/GP batteries National Soccer League series. The side boosted with the return of midfielder Alvin Avinesh, defender Leone Vurukania and Peni Finau and local wonder boy Jone Vono Junior defeated the struggling Navua side by 4-0.

The match started off on a slow pace but as the match progressed Lautoka gained momentum and very nearly scored within the opening few minutes. Some misunderstanding upfront caused the Blues a great chance to take an early lead.

Lautoka dominated the midfield arena as Alvin stamped his authority like the old times.

The blues got their break through on the half hour mark when Jone Vono was nicely set up by Maika Waqa. Vono skipped past Pene Enerio and goal keeper Sheik Moshin to get the first goal. Following the goal, the Blues bombarded the Navua Goal Mouth and tore apart the Navua defense time and again.

The second goal was a an absolute beauty as Maika Waqa yet again turned provider as he beautifully gave a through pass to the running Arvindra Naidu who blasted the ball past Moshin. Following that, Semesa Nakosia gave the hosts a comfortable 3 goal lead as he scored from a free kick. Arvindra Naidu was chopped just outside the Navua box and Nakosia made no mistake curling the ball into the net.

The second half was played on a slow pace as the hot and humid conditions took its toll on players. The Navua side had no answer to the dominant Lautoka attack, however, looked dangerous at times on the counter but was contained well by the blues defense of Peni, Leone, Mitieli, Javed and Semesa.

Both sides made technical switches in the second half as Leisala came in for Arvindra Naidu, Jone Vono made way for Kamal Hassan and Jone Sorolo replaced Tamanisau.

The switch paid dividends to coach Imdad Ali as Kamal Hassan got his name on the score sheet midway in the second half.

The blues looked to have put the foot off the paddle into the closing stages of the match as Navua came out firing only to be denied by our super defense and some poor finishing.

The midfield trio for the blues, Dave Radrigai, Alvin and Arvindra Naidu had an outstanding game with Dave all over the field. He time and again proved to be a thorn in the Navua defense only to be denied by veteran defenders Seveci and Pene.

The win put Lautoka in second place on the points table with 15 points, 1 behind Suva and 1 point ahead of Rewa who has 14 points, but the blues have played a game less than the other two. Other matches played this weekend saw Labasa draw with high flying Suva 0-0, Savusavu losing to Suva 3-0 and troubled Rewa giving their fans something to cheer about, thrashing minnows Nadroga 6-0.

Squad: Simione Tamanisau(GK)( Jone Sorolo), Semesa Nikosea, Peni Finau, Leone Vurukania, Javed Hussein, Mitieli Namuka, Arvin Naidu (Leisala Veitakula), Dave Radrigai, Alvin Avinesh, Jone Vono (Kamal Hassan) , Maika Waqa

Optimus Fiji Man of the Match: Dave Radrigai