League

Highland Park
Spectators: 9361 (Terracing: 7031, Seating: 2155, VIP seats: 175) Highland Eagles AFC's Uzochukwu Etuhu started the match with a crisp pass. The crowd had been anticipating this game for weeks and the excitement in the stadium was easily visible. Uzochukwu Etuhu sent away a hard shot on goal in the 5th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. The crowd rose to their feet as Nwokeocha Obiyo kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Kabiru Onanuga. That made the score 1-0 in the 7 minute of play. After a rather tough play, Shoeburynesss's Ginikanwa Ihebulu got a free kick in the 10th minute. Nwokeocha Obiyo, 10 minutes into the match, dribbled the ball up the side of the field and decided to take a long shot at the goal. Unfortunately, the ball was poorly hit and landed closer to the corner than to the goal. Abishai Adefarakan charged in rather forcefully in the 14th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Abishai Adefarakan the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. Abishai Adefarakan hit a great freekick 14 minutes into the match. Tang Zhi Hai's late challenge caught a Highland Eagles AFC's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Tang Zhi Hai helped the player get up and apologised. After 21 played minutes Shoeburynesss got a freekick which was hit by Tang Zhi Hai. In the 25th minute Awenayeri Ajanaku shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Obika Olutola saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 25th match minute, Highland Eagles AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Abishai Adefarakan to maneuver through the defense. After 30 minutes, Ijebusomma Daika mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Highland Eagles AFC and the Shoeburynesss players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 31st minute, Ijebusomma Daika hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Obika Olutola showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Tang Zhi Hai in the 33rd minute of the match. A collision led to Shoeburynesss getting a freekick after 33 minutes play. Manasseh Ginikanwa hit a great ball. Uzochukwu Etuhu struck a weak shot in the 34th minute. Kabiru Onanuga didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Highland Eagles AFC. In the 38th match minute, Highland Eagles AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Ijebusomma Daika to maneuver through the defense. Highland Eagles AFC's attacker deliberately struck the ball against an opponent to win a corner for his team. The corner was taken by Nwokeocha Obiyo in the 41st minute. A collision led to Shoeburynesss getting a freekick after 42 minutes play. Awenayeri Ajanaku hit a great ball. The supporters of Highland Eagles AFC booed when Shoeburynesss was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 44 match minutes in a wonderful position. Manasseh Ginikanwa didn't get a good kick on the ball. In the 46th play minute Ikechukwu Garo came free and shot an unsuspected shot which went into goal from the right pole behind a surprised Kabiru Onanuga. 3-0. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 3-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Awenayeri Ajanaku made a kick off. 52 minutes into the match, Ikechukwu Garo had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Kabiru Onanuga. Shoeburynesss's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Ikechukwu Garo was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 4-0. 55 minutes into the game, Nwokeocha Obiyo cracked a shot to the right of the goalkeeper, 5-0. Kabiru Onanuga was not in position, and could only watch the ball fly in. Shoeburynesss's Kabiru Onanuga played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ikechukwu Garo in the 57th minute of play. The supporters of Highland Eagles AFC booed when Shoeburynesss was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 68 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ginikanwa Ihebulu didn't get a good kick on the ball. After a rather tough play, Highland Eagles AFC's Nwokeocha Obiyo got a free kick in the 70th minute. Kabiru Onanuga took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ikechukwu Garo, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. In the 74th minute, Ginikanwa Ihebulu hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 75 minutes into the match, Bitrus Abia notched a goal, 7-0, to the right of Shoeburynesss's Kabiru Onanuga. Kabiru Onanuga was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ikechukwu Garo in the 78th minute of play forced Shoeburynesss's goalkeeper Kabiru Onanuga to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 79 minutes into the match, Shoeburynesss's goal looked a bit too open when Nwokeocha Obiyo came free, but Kabiru Onanuga reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Manasseh Ginikanwa was shown his second yellow card after 82 minutes, following a rather ugly tackle on opponent. That was the end of his participation in the match. In the 83rd match minute, Shoeburynesss was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Manasseh Ginikanwa to maneuver through the defense. A collision led to Highland Eagles AFC getting a freekick after 84 minutes play. Bitrus Abia hit a great ball. In the 85th minute, Abishai Adefarakan hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. 90 minutes into the game, Bitrus Abia was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Highland Eagles AFC's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Shoeburynesss the free kick. The supporters of Shoeburynesss booed when Highland Eagles AFC was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 90 match minutes in a wonderful position. Bitrus Abia didn't get a good kick on the ball. There were very few away supporters still in the ground by the end of the match. Most of them had left early, disgusted by the way their team had been torn apart. Highland Eagles AFC fully deserved thier win.