Rivers United Beats MFM FC 2-0

Rivers United put up a professional display yesterday to easily take apart Maintein of Fire Ministry (MFM) FC 2-0 on match day 12 of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
Ossy Martins and Esor Nelson were the goal scoring heroes for United who now move up to third on standings having started the day in fourth.
Technical manager of United, Stanley Eguma handed recalls to Bakary Bamba, Kunle Odunlami and captain Festus Austine who all missed the club’s last game – the 2-0 win over Adamawa United in Gombe a week ago.
United settled faster but it was the visitors who had the first real opportunity to open the scoring.
Oriyomi Lawal sprang the offside trap but saw his half chance from the edge of the box easily saved by the United goalkeeper, Darlington Ovunda, who has now kept clean sheets in his last two games.
United then took the game by scruff of the neck but found goal scoring chances hard to come by as MFM defended in compact fashion.
The hosts didn’t have to wait long though for their first clear goal scoring moment and it arrived in the 17th minute.
Quick passing between Martins and Ishaq Rafiu freed up the unmarked Esor who saw his exquisite chip beat Folarin Abayomi in the MFM goal but only kissed the roof of the net.
Chigozie Ihunda was the next to try his luck as his fiercely struck effort produced a fine save from Folarin.
The impressive Esor caused panic in the MFM back line with some control and dare devil dribbling before passing with precision to the unmarked Gopey Michael who somehow managed to fluff his lines at the opportune moment in the 22nd minute.
United then took the lead their overwhelming dominance deserved when Martins rose unchallenged to head home Ihunda’s precise free kick just before the half hour.