Two weeks ago, fans at the Liberation Stadium rose to salute
Asisat Oshoala’s rocket which demystified Bayelsa Queens’ defence into the net in their NWFL clash. The typical
modern day playmaker did the job again on Saturday when Rivers Angels visited
Police Machine on Saturday.
Current FA Cup champions and Rivers Angels were too strong
for home side Police Machine winning 2-1 in a week 6 encounter decided at the Police College.
The match witnessed by a sizeable number of football fans
saw the two teams parading stars like the evergreen Stella Mbachu, Bidemi Aluko, Ayo,
Nwabouku Evelyn, Bose Toriola ,Francione Bella ,Amanze, Asisat Oshoala, Gift Omotunde and Gloria
Ofuegbu.
The game kicked off with both sides making their intention
known with crisp attacking display, mobility and the rich vein of soccer that
the Nigerian Female Soccer has to offer. The first chance of the game was
carved out by Stella Mbachu who found the young Amanze. The energetic winger
failed to beat Ayo, the skipper of Police Machine.
Police Machine launched the first attack of their own when
the dangerous Gift Omotunde was brought down by Bella at the edge of the box.
This presented an opportunity for the hardworking Ayo to release a thunderbolt.
The fierce shot was taken and it brought the best out of the agile Bidemi, who
punched the ball for a corner kick to the homers. Followers of the Police girls
roared on and urged them to net the curtain raiser.
Further forays by Bose, Gift and Ayo was met with
resistance by the excellent Bidemi. The first a screamer from which she
punched to the woodwork, the second a low shot by which brought out the best in
her and the third a pile drive.
In the 31st minute, Rivers Angels made Police
Machine pay for their misses. The overlapping Gloria Ofoegbu released Bella,
who threaded a perfect pass to Amanze. The speedy winger raced on to the ball
and dummied the Police Machine defence line , before sending a low shot to the
far corner of the net.
Not to be left out in the show, the hosts stuck to their
long ball approach and were unlucky not to score before the break. The lanky
Toriola delivered a perfect cross which Regina Macfancy handled , but
the centre referee was unruffled much to the frustration of Ikeja fans. The first half
ended one-nil in favour of the coach Edwin Okon wards.
Hostilities resumed in the second half with the two teams
reducing the tempo and threading the safety lane. The Rivers Angels technical
bench introduced Asisat Oshoala and Gloria Iroka to add the needed bite. Police
Machine also brought-on two attack-minded players to open up the game.
This, however, paid off for the away team in the 84th
minute of the game. Bidemi launched a long ball in goal and the experienced
Mbachu found make shift attacker Iroka. An intelligent ‘’Xavi like’’ pass
caught the hosts unawares and midfield creator Oshoala didn’t have any
hesitation beating the unrushing goalkeeper. It was a tough blow on the home
team.
The last six minutes saw the home side trying to salvage the
situation and they were rewarded through lone striker Bose Toriola at the dearth. The lanky ace was a menace to Rivers Angels' back-line.
This brought hope for a possible draw but the centre referee signalled the end
of a classic show at the 3rd minute of added time.
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