A spirited second half display by coach Shakiru Giwa’s tutelage boys secured maximum points for Ladegbuwa Fc with 3-2 win over Holy Trinity Fc in the Nationwide League (NLO 1) match decided at Otunba Dipo Dina Stadium, ijebu ode.
Ladegbuwa Fc could not have wished for a better start as the team race to an early lead after only five minutes into the duel.
Holy Trinity defender had the ball tucked in his hand inside the box in the glaring eyes of the referee, the referee awarded a penalty which Jinadu Mutiu calmly converted, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Holy Trinity responded with two goals in succession. The equalizer came in 33mins through Tijani Kehinde who found himself free at the far post after Ladegbuwa’s goalkeeper heroic diving save could only find the path of the opponent’s striker to bring the game to even.
The visitor took the lead in the 41mins when Ebenezer clinically poke the ball in the net after having a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper.
The momentum was high on the side of the visitor as they maintained the slender lead into the half-time break and had other handful of chances to increase their tally at the restart of the second half.
However, coach Giwa bank on his indepth knowledge of match reading, serve a tactical master stroke changes with couple of substitutions which his opposing number couldn’t find an answer to and prove the turning point in the game.
Parrity was eventually restored through a low-drive freekick by Sodiq Opeyemi which left Holy Trinity’s goalkeeper scrambling on the floor to the delight of the teeming home supporters. The home team grew in strength and grits with continuous attack and laying a siege in the visitor’s box which constrain them to fight for their lives in their half.
Ladegbuwa finally got their 3rd goal of the game via another penalty after Amuda Ridwan was hacked down in the 18 yard box as the referee point to the spot kick circle once again. Mutiu stepped forward once again to take the decisive kick and sent the goalkeeper to the wrong way for the uptenth times during the game to make it 3-2.
Coach Shakiru Giwa during his post match interview stated that there is still room for improvement in his team despite the maximum points garnered.
He said, “We had a perfect start we had planned for which is to score an early goal but unfortunately we could not seize the moment to control the game afterwards. We allowed our opponent to comeback into the game with an equalizer and even took the lead”
“My players switched off at one point in the game which gave our opponent the freedom to score two goals. I had to rejig the tactical formation to neutralise the midfield and steady the ship.”
“We became more efficient in the second half, attack and defend with the same vigour and we got the job done”.
Ladegbuwa Fc have amassed 7 out of possible 9 points after 3 matches played.
