Gateway United, this Saturday at the MKO Abiola Stadium Intl Stadium, saw off Adoration FC in a Nigeria National League, NNL match day eight encounter.
Coach Toyin Ayinla made three changes to the team that defeated Abeokuta Stormers last time out as Johnson Emmanuel, Akintola Samuel and Ogunronbi Hawal returned to the line up.
The hosts were first off the block when Yahuza Bala opened the scoring with a fantastic strike inside seven minute when the diminutive striker sent home Johnson Emmanuel’s cross to the near post.
The goal having settled the nerve in the stadium ensured that the game would see less chances created until the half hour mark when Aribisala Timilehin fired wide from the edge of the box.
Ogunronbi Hawal followed suit with a long effort that went off target.
The second goal would eventually come for Gateway United in the 36th minute as Yahuza Bala turned provider with a teasing low cross turned in by Ogunronbi Hawal.
Ibukun Araromi was called into action immediately after the goal when he had to tip over Divine Nwachukwu’s thunderbolt from a set piece.
The second half resumed with some impressive play in the middle as the hosts skillfully stringed passes together much to the admiration of the fans.
A double substitution was made by coach Toyin Ayinla in the 56th minute, Yusuf Afeez and Victor Adeoti made way for Sunkanmi Odusina and Abawula Anthony.
Back to back chances were recorded as Ogunronbi Hawal drove the ball to the edge of the box only to drag his effort wide.
Substitute Odusina Sunkanmi followed suit when he dribbled into the area but could only balloon his effort.
Ibukun Araromi well positioned to make another big save to claw off a header from Adoration’s Chukwu Michael from a corner kick.
The game was eventually put to bed with a sensational goal from Sunkanmi Odusina who wriggled his way past three markers in the box and drilled a low shot to the bottom right corner.
Three goals, three points to Gateway United as top spot remains intact.
Coach reaction
Coach Toyin Ayinla said the team has overcome another stern test at home with a superlative performance.
“Im so proud of the performance. It justifies our position on the top of the log. We hit the ground running from the blast of the whistle and we got an instant reward. We relaxed a bit in the other half and our opponents mounted some pressure despite being two goals up, and we later put the icing on the cake with the third”
“Like I keep saying, one step at a time, game by game, we are improving. We will definitely not rest on oars. We have proved our mettle so far, we can only do more especially on the road”. He concluded.
Gateway United will be away to J Atete in match day 9 at Otu Jeremi in Delta State.
