Bayelsa United Beat Fc One Rocket To Keep Promotion Aspirations Alive

By Hananeel Jackson - Two second half goals from Favour Martins and Okardi Inikurogha on 66 and 70 minutes gave Bayelsa United a 2-1 victory over Fc One Rocket of Akwa Ibom State in match day four encounter of the Nigeria National League NNL southern conference group B2 decided at the Samson Siasia stadium Yenagoa.

Technical Adviser Diprieye Teibowei made few changes from the side that defeated Remo stars last weekend as well as the team that held Ibom Youth to a goalless draw,  midweek in Ikot Ekpene with Bright Esieme and Philip Bob making the starting eleven for the first time in the absence of injured midfielder Benard Okorowanta.

Abah Abel gave the visitors the lead from an individual move to curl the ball past Bayelsa United goalkeeper Issiaka Ogoubiye on 64 minutes but two minutes later the hosts responded in an exhilarating fashion when Fc One Rocket defender Alade Victor brought down Emo James  in the eighteen yard box as Favour Martins stepped forward to send the visitors goalie Anyanu Ugochukwu the wrong way.

Favour martins was involved again on 70 minutes after dribble through the Fc One Rockets defence line and hit a shot which came off the goal post but it was tapped home by  Okardi Inikurogha to seal the victory for Yenagoa based side.

Emo James on 90 minutes had an opportunity to make it three from Victory Beniangba cross having replaced Robert Mizo who was pulled off in the first half as a result of injury he suffered on 11 minutes.

The victory leaves Bayelsa United with seven points after four games as they will now travel to Nnewi to face Goddoysky Fc this weekend while Fc One Rocket have only gained two points from three games.

After the match, a disappointed Technical Adviser of Fc One Rocket Patrick Ndah said he was pleased with the performance of his lads despite the defeat but disagreed with the decision of the centre referee to have awarded the penalty to the hosts.

On his part, technical adviser of Bayelsa United Diprieye Teibowei noted that the opponents gave his side a tough fight attributing the slim margin to his strikers wastefulness in front of goal in the first half.

He explained that the absence of experienced midfielder Benard Okorowanta was really felt in the game.

Although it was a difficult game for Bayelsa United but man of the match Favour Martins said getting three points  against a youthful Fc One Rocket team was the most important thing.

He pointed out that with level of cohesion in the team, he was optimistic of an away win having amassed seven points from a possible twelve points so far.