By Nelson Dafe, Benin City on March 29, 2016

The second round of the Edo state Challenge Cup was concluded over the weekend.

Bendel Insurance walloped Stars FC 5-2 to set up a Tuesday afternoon quarter finals date with defending champions BJ Foundation who beat De Leo FC 2-1 in their Saturday morning fixture.

Insurance surprisingly went one goal down against Stars FC who profited from a mix up in the Insurance defence to score in the early minutes.

However, Insurance soon put any expectations of an upset to rest by two quick fire replies to lead 2-1 in the first half.

The pro division one outfit continued to pile pressure on the Stars team in the second half and went 3-1 up soon after the second stanza. Stars FC pulled one back soon after but could do nothing to stop two other blistering strikes from Insurance.

Earlier in the day, BJ began their defence of the competition they won last year by seeing off De Leo who put up a spirited performance in a game that had some moments of individual sparks.

BJ’s Francis Ikpomwonsa, who was the tournament’s highest goals score last year, started from where he stopped by opening scoring in the first half with his typical predatory finish. Hope collected a pass from Junior and slotted home in the first half.

Ikpomwonsa turned provider in the second half as he waltzed his way through the left byline of De Leo, beating his marker on the way and squaring for Uche to finish easily.

Though De Leo pulled one back soon after, they lacked enough quality to get an equaliser.

In Sunday’s matches, state league champions Inneh Stars crushed Paulson FC 5-0 to send a resounding message to other title hopefuls.

Buffallo made easy work of Emma Usoh Foundation by winning the largely one-sided game 2-0. Buffallo scored with an early penalty when a careless tackle from an Usoh defender was duly penalised BT the referee.

Buffalo who were the more experienced side eased off and Usoh boys battled spiritedly but simply lacked enough quality to cause any upset. Buffalo rapped things up in the second half with an easy finish.

In the day's final and most interesting match, Crown FC scored a late winner to beat Saviors FC 1-0.

It was a well contested game full of good individual and team quality. Saviors FC who won their last game 8-0 struggled in the early stages to curtail the rampaging moves of Crown who dominated.

The game soon became more balanced and fans were impressed with the ding-dong and end to end stuff they were fed with by both sides.

With about a minute to the end of the game, Crown got a free kick at the edge of the Savior's box and the cross was nodded home to leave Saviors players shattered.

•Photo shows BJ players getting ready for their Edo FA cup match with De Leo FC.

Source Daily Sports

Posted March 29, 2016

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