By Daily Sports on July 7, 2017

A 73rd minute goal by Chile Azu ensured that Go Round FC beat a stubborn Crown side on Thursday morning in Omoku.

The first half of the game was played on Wednesday afternoon but cut short at half time due to heavy rains that left the pitch flooded.

In the second half played on Thursday morning, Crown threw everything in their arsenal to escape with a point, fortifying their defence and ensuring their defenders kicked out all balls in their area as far away from danger as possible.

Go Round’s gaffer, Ngozi Elechi threw in barrel chested defender, Chile Azu to play up-front in place of Eta Okon.

Azu’s size would be needed up front and his long throws would always be a cause of worry for the visitors.

Crown’s Oladuni Oyekale responded by throwing in Samuel Onukwube for Osinachi Charles but it was the home side that smiled last as Chile Azu got the only goal of the game in the 73rd minute.

In a characteristic long throw from about 30 yards from Azu, goalkeeper, Ibikun Araromi completely mistimed his run and the ball bounced off him to go into the net to the delight of the Go Round FC faithful.

In the 2nd minute, Nelson Esor almost put the host in the lead but the ball was cleared off the line.

George Vincent also had an early chance for the hosts but a resilient Crown FC defence ensured that the goalkeeper gaffe did not result in a goal.

In the 15th minute, Ebuka Akobundu’s long throw caused panic in the Crown FC area but the ball was scrambled away for a corner.

The closest the visitors got to scoring was in the 33rd minute when Lanigan Gbenga, lurking behind the Go Round FC defenders, caught them off guard and his effort went off the upright as fans of the home side heaved a sigh of relief.

Oladuni Oyekale of Crown FC said his boys played well but the break between halves of the game affected his side.

“My boys did their best. I wish it didn’t rain yesterday. If it did not rain we may have gotten something out of the game,” Oyekale said.

“You see it is not easy to play half and then play the second half the next day. It’s difficult. You know teams have their strategies . . . some can go 90 minutes straight without problems but with the break, it affected our team,” Oyekale said.

“I commend the boys after a difficult first half yesterday,” Go Round’s Ngozi Elechi said.

“They put up a fight today and it paid off. We know Crown, also chasing promotion and we knew it would not be easy.”

He suggested that the rains that stopped the game on Wednesday may have been good for his side since they played better on Thursday morning than they did on Wednesday afternoon.

•Photo shows Go Round FC Coach Ngozi Elechi.

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 7, 2017

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