Sporting Lagos Climb to the top with Win Over Dino

Sporting Lagos proved once again that they’re the team to beat in TCC League this season as they outscored Dino in a five-goal thriller.

It however wasn’t all roses and sunshine for the away side as they had to battle through a handful of missed chances to get their first goal in a game that started on a scrappy note as both sides struggled to find a breakthrough.

The first real chance of the game fell to Daniel Bartholomew after a clearance from his goalie put him through on goal. His weak shot could however only fizzle past the net of Murphy Ime’s goal. This was followed by a weak shot from Dino’s Felix Terver which barely troubled the Sporting Lagos goalkeeper.

The home team exploited Dino’s high line of defense yet again, with Bartholomew and Sani Abubakar finding space behind the opposition defense. No thanks to the tight angle,the latter’s shot could only be directed at the goalkeeper.

This was followed by yet another missed chance after a neat exchange of passes between Hammed Fasanya and Sani Abubakar freed up space for Bartholomew to run into. The striker’s attempt was however saved by the Dino goalie.

It was a galore of missed chances as Dino’s Felix Terver joined the long list of players who failed to convert. After finding himself through on goal, he missed an open net and swung his shot wide of the goal.

As half time approached, goalkeeper Ime handled the ball outside his area, gifting a freekick to the home side. Bartholomew stepped up and curled the ball into the top left corner of the post to score the first goal of the game.

One quickly became two for the visitors as Bartholomew turned provider for Godspower who, with only the keeper to beat, doubled Sporting Lagos’ lead. But the 1st half scoring wasn’t done yet.

Dino left-back, Christian Nwachukwu, found himself on the receiving end of a pass on the right flank. After successfully evading Patrick Egeonu with a chip, the defender let fly from just inside the 18-yard area to score Dino’s first goal of the day.

The 2nd half began with Coach Godwin Gibson making a few substitutions which would eventually pay off. It was Sporting Lagos’ turn to be caught on the counter as the 2nd half began, with Alexander Saviour finding himself in acres of space on the right flank. The striker threaded a pass to Blessing Essien who calmly slotted the ball home to even things out between both sides. 

Unwilling to settle for a draw, Sporting Lagos again took the lead just a few minutes after. The man who had earlier been scoffing goal-scoring chances found himself on the receiving end of a cross from Godspower. This time, Bartholomew was clinical enough to find the back of the net and score the game-winning goal for Coach Olusanjo Olutayo.

There was no coming back for Dino as they succumbed to a third loss of the season, giving Coach Gibson plenty to think about.

CAUTION

Dino SC

Murphy Ime 29’

Daniel Samuel 78’

Sporting Lagos

Fuad Aleilo 63

MAN OF THE MATCH

Daniel Bartholomew (Sporting Lagos)

Despite fluffing a handful of chances, Bartholomew redeemed himself by scoring two goals, including the match winner for his side.