Three matches took center stage on Thursday, 24th June 2021 in the Port Harcourt City League. Defending champions SKE FC were 3-1 victors over Glodek FC while Port Harcourt City FC defeated Paris by two goals to nil. Dumo United earned their first win against Corinthians FC.
SKE took an early lead in the 7th minute. Ikechukwu Onuoha picked Harrison Onwufor out wide who controlled brilliantly before finding an onrushing Patrick Osuagwu to calmly slot into the net for his 6th goal in the campaign.
SKE utilized the flanks to cause problems to the Glodek backline. Harrison on few occasions roamed into the box to float crosses that were cleared by the Glodek defenders. Despite dominating proceedings towards the end of the first half, Glodek couldn’t pose a threat to Jaja Maxwell in goal for SKE.
Five minutes after the restart, an advantage for SKE to double the lead went begging. Udoh Jumbo fired his effort wide following a sumptuous cross by Oscar Nwimo. The brilliance of Saro Samuel denied Patrick’s right-footed shot in the 58th minute.
Glodek would have been punished for their sloppy defending but had their goalkeeper to thank after he made two successive saves to deny Kimi Jeremiah and Bello Mohammed.
Chukwurah Nnabuife was dispossessed that paved the way for Glodek to initiate a quick counter that gave them the leveler in the 73rd minute off a towering header by Abel Etoali. A moment of individual brilliance by Chukwurah restored the lead five minutes after they conceded. He drifted into the area and unleashed a left-footed shot that beat Saro.
Glodek’s hope of a possible comeback was seemingly extinguished when Kimi Jeremiah capitalized on a defensive blunder to smash emphatically into the top corner with ten minutes left. SKE secured the maximum points to maintain their winning streak of four matches and leaders on the log in Group B.
Saro Samuel won the man of the match award.
Ifeanyi Nwachukwu said it was a difficult game for his team despite the victory.
” It was a hard game but we are happy we got the three deserved points.”
On his part, Emmanuel Amaechi wasn’t happy with the defeat.
” It was unfortunate that I lost the game. My players gave their best especially in the second half because we wanted to win at all cost.”
Chijioke Keshi’s tutored Port Harcourt City FC overpowered Paris FC with a two-nil victory. PHC FC had their noses in front in the 12th minute. A swift counter met Kelvin Amadi out wide who turned and scanned the field of play to float awesomely into the box. Francis Onuegbu wasted no time nodding into the back of the net.
Paris who had a sluggish start to the game created fewer chances before the break. Joshua Wisdom and Emmanuel Smart couldn’t hit the target for their side.
Godfrey Kiribo of Paris introduced fresh legs at the interval. Basil Beethoven who came on had an instant impact when he sent across to the lanky Joshua Wisdom who headed wide.
While Paris dominated play in their quest for the equalizer, they were punished yet again on the counter. Robert Owhonda race past his marker and picked out an unmarked Kelvin Amadi who expertly guided home to extend their lead with 8 minutes left to ensure a back-to-back victory for PHC FC.
Kelvin Amadi won the man of the match award.
Chijioke Keshi said he expected the win.
” I expected the win. It was not a surprise to me. We are back as title challengers.”
Godfrey Kiribo bemoaned his players for the missed chances.
” My lads lost focus coupled with many challenges ahead of us. We will go back to the drawing board and do more in the training pitch and get back better.”
Dumo United picked their first win after a much-improved performance against struggling Corinthians FC where they outplayed their opponents in the first half.
Dumo had the lead in the opening quarter-an-hour after a fabulous run into the channels by Lawrence Godwin who finished emphatically past Kenneth Iyoyo.
The Corinthians backline had a torrid time to curtail Dumo who put up an astonishing performance. They got the two-goal cushion just five minutes before the end of the first half. David ThankGod ran into space in the Corinthians half and assuredly tucked home for the double.
The trio of Delima Ibibia, Justice Stephen, and Dami Oluwatobi had a horrendous first half in which they failed to muster a shot on target. They were substituted for Ifeanyi Chibuzor, Maxwell Awaji, and John Ebinbo.
The sparkling performance by the substitutes changed the momentum for the Corinthians outfit. Ifeanyi Chibuzor did well to cut back at the byline but sent his effort wide.
Another substitute Maxwell Awaji ran the show with his dazzling skills but was denied any chance of scoring by a solid center-back pairing of Agbara Justus and Celestine Nwidezua. Dumo held on to coast home victorious, hence, inflict more misery to Corinthians who are yet to pick a win.
Bakara Sunday of Dumo won the man of the match award.
Monday Banigo expressed his joy with the victory.
” It’s something that you don’t need to give up. We went back to our drawing board and came out with a good result.”
Kelly Newyear wasn’t impressed with the performance of his lads.
” It’s part of the game. It was some mistakes that were made. I’m not happy with the performance because the goals we conceded were too casual.”
The last round of matches in week four will hold on Friday, 25th June 2021. Elekahia United will take on Ambassadors FC at 10:00 am while MFM FC square-up with Port Harcourt United at noon. The 2:00 pm kick-off is between Legend FC and Dolphins FA. All matches will take place at the Football Pitch of Nigerian Air Force Base in Port Harcourt.
