It was an easy passage for defending champions Edo Queens at the Western Boys High School as they defeated newly formed Heart Peak FC Women in the semi final of the ongoing Edo FA Cup, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.
Goals from Abibat Agbaji, Adama Rassai and Efe Osakpolor ensured Edo Queens progressed to the final in a pulsating encounter under the rain.
Edo Queens started the game with so much intensity, dominating and over powering Heart Peak with several big chances. It was until the seventh minute Abibat Agbaji netted the first to give Edo Queens the lead. Edo Queens, had earlier scored but the effort was ruled out for offside.
At the 15th minute, the clouds opened and it rained cat and dog, which affected the sandy pitch. The 22nd minute saw the centre referee make a controversial decision not to award a penalty to Heart Peak after Edo Queens goalie, Christiana Obia caught the legs of the opposing team striker, instead of the ball. To the surprise of many, the referee awarded a free kick in favour of the NWFL Premiership side.
With the continued downpour, play became sloppy but Edo Queens scored the second. This time Rassai finished a cross from Abibat with a powerful shot that ricocheted off the woodwork into the net.
The second half continued with Heart Peak becoming more solid in defense. The ladies in green averted all threats Edo Queens posed. They were however unable to stop Efe Osakpokor in the 50th minute who scored from a direct free kick. Efforts by both sides to score, proved abortive. With the result, Edo Queens will face Fortress Ladies in the final while Heart Peak will slug it out with Red Hearts for third place.
In the other semifinal clash between Benin Red Soil FC and Fortress Ladies ended 4-0. The latter humiliated the former by four unreplied goals at the Western Boys High School football pitch.