Gateway United put an end to Bendel Insurance FC of Benin unbeaten run with a 1-0 victory in a Nigeria National League matchday five fixture.
On a sunny afternoon at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Oronsaye James pushed first for the Toyin Ayinla led side when he sent a diagonal pass to Ogunleye Sulaimon who crossed the ball but Insurance goalkeeper, Oladipo Kolawole was equal to the task.
Haruna Salifu chested down for Oronsaye James at the edge of the box but the diminutive midfielder could only hit his target wide.
Insurance’s Adodo Stephen gathered a loose ball from the midfield, drove into Gateway Utd’s box, cut to his right foot and fired wide as the game reached its peak heading into the half hour mark.
Five minutes later, Haruna Salifu’s flick header off a corner found Sunkanmi Odusina but his acrobatic move came a bit late to find us the opener.
The first half proceedings would however end goalless in a dominant display from Gateway United. The home side did up the ante in the second half.
Oronsaye James met a corner kick from the right with his outside boot which crawled beyond Oladipo Kolawole, a goal on the hour that depicted the brilliant display of the team all afternoon.
Bendel Insurance tried replying with a chance of their own when Gateway Utd goalkeeper, Ibukun Araromi dived to his left to save a low effort from Daukumo.
Gateway United pushed forward to increase the lead as Haruna Salifu snatched the ball in the midfield, beat his marker but couldn’t wade off a challenge from Odinaba Edeh.
No further goals were recorded as Gateway United continued their impressive run at home with a 1-0 win.
The Toyin Ayinla side now top the group B1 of the southern conference with 9 points.
*Coach reaction*
Coach Toyin Ayinla is elated with the hard fought victory but believes there’s still room for improvement.
“We had no other option than to return to winning ways. The boys were beaming with confidence. Their attitude was perfect and they stuck to the game plan. We will continue to wax stronger no doubt. There’s hardly a perfect game, thus, we will go back to the training pitch to get much better”
“We wouldn’t want this to get into our head. So we will shift our focus to our next game which is another home game against Osun United. All I can say now is that the absolute best is yet to come”
Gateway United will face Osun United next in a home encounter in matchday 6 fixture of the NNL 2021/2022 season
