Remo Stars on Sunday at the Remo Stars stadium in Ikenne defeated Gombe Utd 1-0 to win their first game inside four matches in the Nigeria Professional Football League.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Coach Gbenga Ogunbote made two changes to the team that got a point in the Southwest derby in Ibadan with Seun Ogunribide and Stanley Okorom reinstalled to the starting line up ahead of Abdulrasheed Awoyemi and Ewelike Edozie.
Playing without fans due to an LMC sanction in the matchday 32 clash, the sky blue stars retained the ball well in the opening minutes of the game with Stanley Okorom and Ifegwu Ojukwu coming the closest to opening the scoring as early as the 10th minute.
The goal would however come when Sikiru Alimi headed home beautifully a deft cross from the lively, Ifegwu Ojukwu, a goal deserving of Remo Stars strong start.
In the 20th, Tolulope Ojo wriggled his way past two yellow shirts but his low effort into the right corner went inches off target.
Five minutes after the half hour mark, Tolulope Ojo one more time went close to doubling the lead after failing to meet a spilled ball by the goalkeeper.
In what was a not so busy afternoon for Bankole Kayode, the goalkeeper got down quickly to keep out a potential own goal from Isah Ali as the lanky defender headed the ball backwards.
The first half would end 1-0 as Remo Stars enjoyed the advantage heading into the dressing room.
On resumption of the final half, the host took off from where they stopped as the attacking trio of Qudus Akanni, Sikiru Alimi and Ifegwu Ojukwu continued to prob the defence of the visitors.
With only eight minutes played of the second half, Gombe Utd were reduced to 10 men following a second yellow card to Alege Abdulquadir.
On the hour mark, Qudus Akanni, after meeting a through ball by Isah Ali went past his man, shoots but straight at the goalkeeper.
βThe Oracleβ with 15 minutes left, made his first two changes as Ifegwu Ojukwu and Tolulope Ojo made way for Ibrahim Yusuf and Adedayo Olamilekan.
Gombe Utd not to be deterred by the red card disadvantage continued to push for a leveler as the game got nervy but were kept out by the solid defensive shape of Remo Stars.
Dayo Ojo was withdrawn for Haruna Hadi in the 89th minute as Coach Gbenga Ogunbote eased home to all three points.
WHAT IS MEANS
The win takes Remo Stars to 4th on the NPFL log with 50pts just one shy of Enugu Rangers.
WHATβS NEXT
The boys now have a long week to prepare for an away trip to Uyo against defending champions, Akwa Utd.