Utibe Arit’s 13th minute strike made the difference as a ruthless Akwa Starlets side left a toothless Stationery Stores side licking their wounds in an NNL Match Day 3 encounter played at Agege Stadium in Lagos, Thursday, sports247.ng learns
According to the Media Officer of Uyo outfit, Edidiong Stephen, the bulky striker benefitted from a defensive jumble between goalkeeper and defender to pounce on the resultant loose ball for his second of the campaign and third in all competitions.
Femi Ajayi released a long surging ball forward and with eyes on the ball, the retreating defender, completely unperceptive of the on-rushing intentions of his goalkeeper, slammed into the later before Utibe then combined agility and awareness to tuck home from two yards.
The home side showed signs of their defensive catastrophe as early as four minutes into proceedings when Starlets’ Isaac George intercepted a series of inaccurate passes in the final third to break free on goal but his tame right-footed shot was gathered at the second time of asking by the goalkeeper.
The goal appeared to give the home side the shot in arm they needed to awaken to the reality which was unfolding before them as they registered their first shot on target in the forty-second minute.
Issac George and Utibe Arite were pests in attack as the visitors soaked up the pressure and relied on the rampaging pace of the Moses Achare, the vision of Femi Ajayi and the raw strength of Osimaga to catch their hosts on the breakaway.
Despite a late foray of attacking onslaught by Stores, it was the visitors who left Lagos with the maximum three points to shoot themselves to the summit of Group B2 while the hosts exited with collective tail firmly between legs.
Starlets will be involved in the early kick-off this Sunday at home to De Sapele FC of Warri while Stores are on the road to Utujeremy where they will be guests to J’Atete FC.
NNL Group B2
Match Day Three
Stationery Stores 0-1 Akwa Starlets
J’Atete FC 3-0 Jossy United
De Sapele FC 0-0 36 Lions FC
Table
s/n Pld GD Pts
1. Akwa Starlets 3 +3 9
2. Stationery Stores 3 +3 6
3. J’Atete FC 3 +3 6
4. Jossy United 3 -3 3
5. 36 Lions FC 3 -2 1
6. De Sapele FC 3 -4 1
Match Day Four
Akwa Starlets Vs De Sapele FC (Sunday, 2:00pm)
J’Atete FC Vs Stationery Stores
Jossy United Vs 36 Lions
