BY SUNDAY AKINTOYE
Hephzibah Sporting Club on Tuesday lived up to expectations with the 2-1 hard fought victory recorded against table topper, ECAS in week seven of the ongoing Lagos State League.
Hephzibah boys who came to the match with high expectations did not disappoint their fans as they outplayed the visiting team in the early encounter played at the Abesan Sport Centre, Ipaja,Alimosho, Lagos.
A header from Nasif Idowu gave the homers early lead in the 28th minutes.The pulsating tie which lived up to billing saw Idowu again controlled the ball from outside box eighteen and quickly fired a thunderous shot to beat the ECAS goalkeeper in the 38th minutes which resulted to second goal for the Hephzibah boys.
In the second half, ECAS began to dominate the encounter,created some scary moments before penalty kick was awarded to them and quickly converted by Sanni Mohammed in the 72th minutes.
The encounter saw both teams created some scoring chances unfortunately none of them was converted till end of the game.
Reacting to the victory, techinical director of Hephzibah SC, Olushola Ogundare boasted that his boys played well and the victory was well deserved.
He described the game a tough one for his team but showered praises on his boys who stopped unbeaten record of visiting team.
“It was a good outing and my boys deserved the victory.I know that nobody believe that we can beat a team who have not lost a single match in the league but I thank God that we have stopped their unbeaten run.
“I must commend my boys for playing to my instructions and thank the coaching crew for the job well done.Our victory against ECAS would spur my boys to go for a win in the next match,”he said.
Speaking in the same vein,Coach of Hephzibah SC,Taiwo Gbadamonsi expressed gratitude to God for the hard fought victory saying that his boys were fantastic against their opponents.
“My boys were not only fantastic but they were more determined to win the game which they really achieved at the end of the day.Our victory has restored the confidence back in the team and my boys are looking forward to win their next game,”he said.
In his own comment, ECAS Coach, Ugochukwu Ezima admitted that his boys were careless in the early game which gave their opponents to score two goals.
He particularly blamed his goalie for his poor form saying that the defeat came as a shock to him.
He however congratulated his opponents for their brilliant performance noted that their opponents paraded young and energetic players who could run faster on the ball.
“It was not a good outing for us because our coming here is to win or at least pick a draw unfortunately we met a team who are hungry for success.
My goalkeeper was careless to have conceded two goals in the early game.I think we have learnt our lesson and we would go back home and re-strategise for our next game,”he said.
Meanwhile Chekas United Feeders on Tuesday recorded 3-1 away victory against Olufunke FC at the Maracana Stadium, Ajegunle.