ALBERT HILARY STARS YET AGAIN TO HELP PEACE BOYS SECURE MAXIMUM POINTS OFF AN ORGANISED SPORTING LAGOS SIDE ON MATCH DAY 16( PLATEAU UNITED 1-0 SPORTING LAGOS
The outcome of the match day 15 NPFL schedule in Illorin hardly left Plateau United’s Mbwas Mangut in a good mood after dropping all points and losing a sizable number of his squad to suspension. Still, a date against Sporting Lagos’ Paul Offor who appears more determined to pick points on the road following failure to beat Bayelsa United in Lagos on match day 15, gave more meaning to the game.
The Peace Boys started on the front foot after Jimmy Iteji won the ball off clement Naantuam to set up some combination that ended up with a pass from Harrison Ebah to pick out Albert Hilary, whose attempt to cut in saw him slip.
As play continues, Daniel Itodo delivers a throw-in and Sporting’s Nwoke Christian parries to safety, denying the hosts the opener.
After 13 minutes, Plateau United mustered some fine combinations from Mohammed Umar to Christopher Nweaze who picked Harrison Ebah.
Harrison Ebah combines with Albert Hilary to break clear and intelligently sets up Mustapha Abdullahi who squares a pass to Nenrot Silas to jab into the top corner but was surprised to see his fine effort ruled out for offside.
Minutes later, Plateau United’s Amah John was called to duty when Sporting’s Chisom Orji dazzled and created a path to unleash a thunderous shot Amah John parried away superbly.
Sporting’ s Jonathan Alukwu came close to putting the guests ahead when Isaac Annor broke clear to square in but Aluko’s effort hit the woodwork amidst calls for an offside with Aluko’s other attempt hitting the woodwork yet again following a ferocious shot by Odibo Godwin to leave scores goalless.
The Peace Boys would continue to probe when Harrison’ Ebah combines with Albert Hilary to force his way and equally combine with Mohammed Umar whose pass to Mustapha Abdullahi sees him intelligently creating a path in the third and his attempt saved by Christian Nwoke With time fast spent,
Harrison Ebah receives the ball from Nenrot Silas and laces a defence-splitting pass to Albert Hilary whose effort goes off target to fans’ outrage.
Albert would get his reward after 75 minutes when Daniel Itodo’s throw-in forces Aliyu Salawudeen to head to Albert Hilary’s path who utilizes a fantastic technique to net the winning goal for the Peace Boys en route to grabbing his Seventh goal of the season just 3 shy off Second place Robert Mizo of Bayelsa United on ten goals and 4 off Remo Stars’ Sikiru Alimi who scored against Heartland of Owerri on match day 16 to reach 11 goals.
Up next for the Peace boys is a trip Northwest to Kano on match day 17 where Abdul Fagge Maikaba awaits a test against one of his understudies in a blockbuster NPFL clash where Mbwas Mangut tests the resolve of one of his superiors during his sojourn with Rangers International of Enugu.
