Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt Monday afternoon returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Edo Queens. Two errors from the Benin Girls handed their opponent a win and a comeback into the league battle, platinumnewsng.com is reporting.
The second match of the NWFL Super Six match day two witnessed a fierce battle between two sides who shared victory at their various grounds in the regular season. Rivers Angels beat Edo Queens 2-1 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium before the Benin girls won 4-1 in the reverse fixture.
Edo Queens went into the game with fine form on the backdrop of their blistering performance that saw them humiliate Confluence Queens 5-1 on match day 1.
But just 11 minutes into the game, Rivers Angels drew the first blood courtesy of Florence Alexander — Rivers Angels were rewarded a free kick after a player was hacked down and center-back, Florence Alexander stepped up to kick. Edo Queens goalkeeper, Ijeoma Uzoma fumbled with the kick as the ball went through her hands into the net.
Edo Queens could have gotten back into the game five minutes later, but Chioma Moses couldn’t connect well the Goodness Osigwe’s cross from the left flank.
Rivers Angels pushed their Benin counterparts further and their efforts proved productive when Uroko Elizabeth was forced to an error by the Jewel of Rivers pressure, to turn Okpe Blessing’s cross into her net.
Emem Essien got one back for Edo Queens in the 32nd minute and this time, it was another goalkeeper error from Rivers Angels goalkeeper, Ademola Morufa. The goalkeeper couldn’t deal with Chioma Moses’ cross from the right wing and Emem Essien wasted no time in sliding home for Edo Queens — her third in the competition.
The first half ended 2-1, though Edo Queens could have leveled things up, but the forwards couldn’t do justice to their final ball.
At resumption, Rivers Angels coach made a quick change, replacing injured Morufa Ademola for Agatha Thompson.Edo Queens mounted pressure and when Edo Queens got one, it was rolled for an offside. Deborah Odiagbe had thought she had found the back of the net in the 57th minute, but her beautiful header was flagged offside to the disappointment of Moses Aduku who fumed at the ruling.
Edo Queens mounted pressure and when Edo Queens got one, it was rolled for an offside. Deborah Odiagbe had thought she had found the back of the net in the 57th minute, but her beautiful header was flagged offside to the disappointment of Moses Aduku who fumed at the ruling.
Sefiat Idris of Rivers Angels almost extended her team’s lead, but her effort was denied by the upright.
Aduku sent in Eunice Godwin and Mariam Abdurasheed, just as his counterpart who sent in Eyakndue Victoria, Okwuchukwu Chiamaka, and Edafe Omamuzo, but the status quo remained as the game climaxed.
Rivers Angels ended the game victorious and will sit top of the table with a superior goal difference to Bayelsa Queens — both teams on four points — pending the end of the Kat game of the day between Confluence Queens and Heartland Queens.
Photos: The NWFL