League

Croston Park
Spectators: 6843 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1843, VIP seats: 0) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Ibezimako Obida made the kick off which started today's match. The supporters of Harold Hill booed when Croston United was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 2 match minutes in a wonderful position. Ibekwe Adefulu didn't get a good kick on the ball. The audience was convinced that Fred Nwilene's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Rufus Falana was relentless in the 4th minute of the game. A collision led to Croston United getting a freekick after 6 minutes play. JohnObi Eguavoen hit a great ball. In the 8thth minute of the game Ibezimako Obida who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Croston United's Rufus Falana was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. An unexpectedly hard shot by Ibezimako Obida in the 11th minute of play forced Croston United's goalkeeper Rufus Falana to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Dick Achor's late challenge caught a Croston United's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Dick Achor helped the player get up and apologised. In the 13th match minute, Harold Hill was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Dick Achor to maneuver through the defense. Rufus Falana stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Fred Nwilene's shot from short distance in the 17th minute. When Croston United's Osa Anichebe in the 27th minute got a chance for a shot 27th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Harold Hill's goalie prevented a goal. If Ibezimako Obida had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 28th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Fred Nwilene had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 30th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. If Osunneye Okwaraji had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 32nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 35th minute the ball was on its way in behind Croston United's goalkeeper Rufus Falana , but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 36 minutes into the game, Nwanne Edozien was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Croston United's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Harold Hill the free kick. In the 36th minute, Nwanne Edozien hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Rufus Falana took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Ibezimako Obida, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Fred Nwilene had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 39th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After fighting hard for a draw in the first half, the players were able to take a much needed rest.

The wind increased when Osa Anichebe made the kick off in the second half. Fred Nwilene sent away a hard shot on goal in the 52nd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The crowd rose to their feet as Ibezimako Obida kicked a wonderful shot that went in to the left of a diving Rufus Falana . That made the score 0-1 in the 55 minute of play. Tamarautare Ngoka took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Osa Anichebe, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Rufus Falana was out of position in the 66 minute of play, and Ibezimako Obida capitalized on the mistake with a soft shot into the goal. Ibezimako Obida really showed his touch with that goal: 0-2. Fred Nwilene could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 69th minute of the match, but Rufus Falana made a huge save. After 70 minutes, Dominic Olutola mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Harold Hill and the Croston United players grew even worse after the yellow card. Dominic Olutola kicked well hit freekick during the 75th minute of the match. 77 minutes in the game, Osa Anichebe dribbled his way through the penalty area and after maneuvering past an opponent, drilled a quick shot at the goal. The ball looked like it was going in, but it was hit a bit too hard and flew over the goal. In the 83rd match minute, Harold Hill was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Dominic Olutola to maneuver through the defense. After having played for 89 minutes, Ibezimako Obida managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Harold Hill's supporters crossed their fingers, but Ibezimako Obida was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 93rd minute Osa Anichebe shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Tamarautare Ngoka saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The referee blew the final whistle, and the away crowd roared, having watched Harold Hill eke out a victory against a very well matched opponent.