By Moses Ojewumi, Media Officer, Gateway United FC
Gateway United FC got the better of Apex Krane FC, 2-0 in an NNL matchday four fixture played at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto Abeokuta.
Goals from Haruna Salifu and Aderemi Yusuf were enough for the Hakeem Busari led side to record another win at home making it two wins in two on home soil for the season.
Gateway United got on the front foot early in the game. Odusina Sunkanmi got the first shot on target just as Dada Kayode took aim from range but saw his effort went agonisingly wide.
Another chance came for the home side in the 20th minute, this time from a set piece situation as goalkeeper saved Seyi Okeowo’s effort from 22 yards out.
There was a big moment for Gateway United when what looked like a penalty appeal for a foul on Olasunkanmi Odunsina in the area was given as a free kick by the referee.
The opener would however come in the 28th minute when Haruna Salifu tucked home Seyi Okeowo’s well weighted in freekick from the left.
It appeared that goal annoyed the visitor’s technical bench as they made their first change when goalkeeper Reuben made way for Pibovei.
There was a lifeline for Apex Krane in the 37th minute when the referee adjudged a handball in the area to give the away team a penalty.
Ibukun Araromi however dived to his right to make a big save as the score line remained 1-0 to the host.
Bakare Fatai also had a chance of his own when he cut into his right foot from the left and sent a curler in which the goalkeeper saved.
Gateway United kept dictating play as they got in their mood when Oronsaye James wriggled his way past two players and directed a defence splitting pass to Odusina Sunkanmi who couldn’t just hit the target as they first half ended 1-0 to the host.
The second half resumed with Apex Krane FC directing the tempo of play but Gateway Utd soon regained possession when Hakeem Busari ringed three changes as Ogunleye Sulaimon, Bakare Fatai and Haruna Salifu were all subbed out for Aderemi Yusuf, Nurudeen Araromi and Sadiq Rilwan.
In the 70th minute, Another chance went begging for the Ogun State outfit as Aderemi Yusuf tried to lob the goalkeeper but his effort went wide.
Another moment came for the referee when it appeared the goalkeeper of Apex Krane, Pibovei handled the ball outside the box but the ref waved play on after checking through the goalkeeper’s positioning.
Gateway Utd kept pressing and they have duly rewarded their second goal with 6mins left of normal time to play.
Olasunkanmi calmly controlled the ball, found Aderemi Yusuf in space, he kept his composure to cut into his right and slot into the back of the net. A goal from the training pitch, that!
There would be no further scare from Apex Krane as Gateway United saw out the win in their second home game of the season and have now amassed 7pts from a possible 9pts inside their last three matches.
Up next for the Hakeem Busari led team would be an Ogun State Derby when they face Remo Stars in Ikenne in an NNL match week 5 meetings.
