Matthew Idoko converted a 15th minute spot kick to give
his side a needed victory in a pulsating encounter decided at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja.
Kogi United almost take the lead within five minute into
the game when John Jerome arrived late to tuck in a cross from John John.
Both players combined well again two minutes afterwards
to initiate another attack p, this time it was John whose effort goes wide.
The Road Safety boys were still on the back foot as
United kept pressing as they search for the early opener.
That finally arrived in the eleventh minutes when Matthew
Idoko did a brilliant footwork to dribble past two markers before releasing a
through ball to Iwuji into FRSC's box, but the creative left back was fouled by
Ogbole Sunday before taking aim at goal and the referee wasted no time to point
to the spot.
Idoko would step forward to score the eventual penalty
after goalkeeper Stephen Azubuike guessed wrong to dive the other way.
The Road Managers however stepped up the game after the
goal and gave a good midfield fight with their hosts but couldn't get a chance
to break Kogi United defense marshaled by Tenimu Abubakar and Sunday Roberts
till the end of the first stanza.
The business end of the game began with United showing
real potency to increase their tally but FRSC employed a physical combat
tactics to frustrate United from breaking them down.
Michael Bolaji did a one-two pass around with Chatto to
initiate an attach for United in the 48th minute but the latter's shot goes
inches wide.
FRSC's best man in the field, Anyamkyegh Gary troubled
United defense on several occasions but his attackers weren't there to receive
the final as United pick up the pieces in defense.
United almost doubled their lead with just quarter of an
hour to end the game when substitute Adegbayo Ayuba's tucked in effort from
Idoko's cross was saved by Azubuike's face.
And the FRSC almost level up the score when new import
Edeh Phillip had his effort parried wide by goalkeeper Salisu Ogbe.
All effort by United to increase the goal tally proved
abortive as FRSC defended well till the last minute if the game.
Acting Head Coach of Kogi United Abubakar Musa disclosed
that it was a tough game but commended his boys for a near perfect performance.
He said United would improve as the games goes on.
"It was a tough game, FRSC are a very physical side
and you can see they were too hard on my players but we were able to get the
most important thing from the game, which is victory, the attack wasn't really
sharp today but we will improve on that as the league goes on," Musa said.
His counterpart from FRSC, Akinade Onigbinde described
the defeat as disappointing, adding that his side could have done better in the
game.
Kogi United with three points from two games would draw
bye for the match as a result of Giwa FC's expulsion while FRSC will prepare to
take on Kwara United in Abuja.
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