High riding Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, continued their impressive run in the race for promotion to the Nigerian topflight with a 3-0 win over Stationery Stores of Lagos.
The Nigeria National League (NNL) Matchday four encounter played on Saturday at the Agege Township Stadium, Lagos, saw the Edith Agoye tutored lads put up a scintillating performance for a deserved win.
Coach Agoye and his men made changes to the team that recorded a hard-won 2-1 win over Go Round last Sunday as Elum Henry, Olawale Mutiu, Isiaka Mutiu started the game in the rear to provide coverage for goalkeeper Olaide Okanlawon, alongside Taye Muritala.
While Fatai Gbadamosi kept his place, same as Enuademu Chinedu, Gafar Olafimihan, Malomo Ayodeji, and Akilu Muhamme, striker, Anthony Okachi, who came in to score the winner against Go Round last Sunday, made the starting line up.
Not wanting to give any room for complacency, the Oluyole Warriors swung into action right from the sound of the referee’s whistle, with Olafimihan making the first attempt at goal with a shot that sailed over the bar.
Although Stores, with a forward line, made up of Ifeanyi Ikemekwele, Princekofo Ikegbu, and Bashiru Bamgbopa, tried to fight their way back, especially in the midfield packed with Uche Opara, Amos Aroture, and Azike Ekene, they could not pose enough threat to the well organised 3SC team.
The Oluyole Warriors took over complete control of the game, later on, creating chance after chances, one of which eventually paid off in the 28th minute.
Goalkeeper Semiu Adegboyega had failed to handle Akilu Muhammed’s thunderous shot, only for the goalie to punch the ball down for an onrushing Okachi to make a low drive which Gafar Oalfimihan rolled into the net.
Olafimihan scored Shooting Stars’ second and his fifth goal of the season in the 43rd
minute, off a header from Malomo, to ensure 3SC took a 2-0 lead into the break.
Stores had few chances in the first half but Taye Muritala headed away a goal-bound shot, while goalkeeper Okanlawon also produced some superlatives saves to deny the Flaming Flamingo any goal.
The Stars continued from where they stopped in the first half, searching for more goals but goalkeeper Semiu Adegboyega emerged as Stores’ saving grace.
Coach Agoye introduced Nafiu Raheem for Okachi, a substitution that added bite to the Stars’ onslaught.
Malomo Ayodeji who was a thorn in the flesh of the homers sealed the game for the Ibadan soccer lords in the 6oth minutes connecting home a pull out from dazzling Chinedu Enuademu.
The duo of Lanre Ferinyaro and Osaghae Junior later joined the action, as they were introduced by coach Agoye as replacements for Taye Muritala and Gafar Olafimihan.
With the comprehensive win, Shooting maintained their unbeaten streak and leadership of Group B1 log, having won all four games, securing twelve available points.
The Oluyole Warriors will next play host to Osun United in a midweek clash scheduled for Wednesday at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu-Ode.
