League

RIVERS-UNITED Park
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Kent Nkut made the kick off and thus started the match. After 4 minutes, Onyeka Nakudu mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Harrogate and the RIVERS UNITED players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 4th minute, Onyeka Nakudu hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. In the 5th minute, Kent Nkut hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Izuchukwu Dooyum charged in rather forcefully in the 9th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Izuchukwu Dooyum the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In the 9th match minute, Harrogate was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Izuchukwu Dooyum to maneuver through the defense. With his leg Nnamdi Akeredolu managed to avoid a goal in the 11thth minute, when RIVERS UNITED's Madukaego Madumere fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. The corner led RIVERS UNITED's Bamidele Monday Edozien to fire away a dangerous shot which Nnamdi Akeredolu despite some difficulties managed to get hold on the ball. After a defensive mix-up in Harrogate's zone, Chinedum Obinna stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Nnamdi Akeredolu came out of the goal and Chinedum Obinna tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Nnamdi Akeredolu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jacob Nalaya, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Chikere Ohuabunwa kicked well hit freekick during the 20th minute of the match. Bamidele Monday Edozien could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 21st minute of the match, but Nnamdi Akeredolu made a huge save. 23 minutes into the match, Ikem Omogo sent off a long shot that looked like it was going straight into the goal, but because Nnamdi Akeredolu threw himself in his full length he managed to grip the ball by the left post, and there was no goal for Ikem Omogo this time. 27 minutes in the game, the ball went up into the seats when Harrogate's Kent Nkut fired away a shot that was just a little bit too high. He walked away shaking his head. 29 minutes into the match, Kent Nkut notched a goal, 0-1, to the right of RIVERS UNITED's Dike Balogun. Dike Balogun was clearly disgusted with the effort of the defense and let the defenders know about it. Ajayi Olumuyiwa Aganun struck a weak shot in the 33rd minute. Nnamdi Akeredolu didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for RIVERS UNITED. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Onyeka Nakudu in the 36th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Dike Balogun saved RIVERS UNITED from getting behind. RIVERS UNITED's Madukaego Madumere got a good chance for a goal in the 38th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. RIVERS UNITED's Marafa Nwagu got a good chance for a goal in the 42nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Aluka Bada's late challenge caught a RIVERS UNITED's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Aluka Bada helped the player get up and apologised. A collision led to Harrogate getting a freekick after 43 minutes play. Aluka Bada hit a great ball. Emeka Agbo kicked well hit freekick during the 44th minute of the match. In the 46th minute of the match Ezekiel Okala shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Nnamdi Akeredolu showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. The RIVERS UNITED players were disheartened as they walked off the pitch after the first half. Harrogate were winning 0-1.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Madukaego Madumere made a kick off. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Jacob Nalaya during the 52nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. In the 52nd match minute, RIVERS UNITED was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Jacob Nalaya to maneuver through the defense. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Aniedi Bagudo during the 58th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. When Madukaego Madumere came up free with the goalie in the 71st minute, the RIVERS UNITED fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Madukaego Madumere couldn't finish the play. In the 72nd minute, Bamidele Monday Edozien got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Dike Balogun took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Kent Nkut, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When Harrogate's Kent Nkut in the 80th minute got a chance for a shot 80th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye RIVERS UNITED's goalie prevented a goal. Izuchukwu Dooyum got his second yellow card in the match during the 82nd minute which meant that he had to leave the ground. After a rather tough play, Harrogate's Izuchukwu Dooyum got a free kick in the 83rd minute. After a defensive mix-up in Harrogate's zone, Bamidele Monday Edozien stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Nnamdi Akeredolu came out of the goal and Bamidele Monday Edozien tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Onyeka Nakudu received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 86th minute. Dike Balogun tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. In the 88th match minute, Harrogate was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Kent Nkut to maneuver through the defense. Nnamdi Akeredolu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bamidele Monday Edozien in the 89th minute of play. If Ikem Omogo had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 94th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Emeka Agbo during the 95th minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. Emeka Agbo kicked well hit freekick during the 95th minute of the match. Although RIVERS UNITED had been in control for most of the match, Harrogate still came away with the win.