BY KINGSLEY UZOWULU.
Heartland Queens yesterday at the Dan Anyiam stadium Owerri defeated visiting Nasarawa Amazons by 2-1 in match day 14 of the NWFL.
The visitors came into the game with a rich credential having won their match against Edo Queens at home as well as qualifying to play in the Super Six.
The Owerri landladies on their own part lost their last game away to Dannaz Ladies in Lagos by 0-1 and therefore were determined to get it right against the Solid miners Ladies.
The game kicked off as scheduled and the teams went into business immediately as they indicated interest to pick the three points at stake .
The two teams remained refused to be separated until the 36th minute by when the home team were awarded a penalty that was clinically converted by Faith Samson to put her team in front.
The Amazons came back after conceeding the goal to fight tenaciously to redeem their image, but all their efforts proved abortive as the home team maintained status until the end of the first half.
Upon resumption of the second half and Midway into the game Nasarawa Amazons made two quick changes as Adesoji and j. Mathais went in to beef up the team, minutes later after the changes Faith Samson came calling off a goal mouth scramble in the visitors area to score the second goal for the Queens.
Not satisfied with what was going on, to the technical crew of the Amazons introduced two more players, Bello and Akekuramuid to help their attack, which actually paid off as the visitors were able to reduce the tall through a header via a corner kick in the dyeing moments of the match.
The visitors continued to mount pressure to see if they can level up, and a clear cut opportunity came calling for the Amazons as their gangling striker had goal keeper
Amarachi Atulayo at her mercy but filtered that chance away.
The home also had another chance to make it 3 as the goal keeper of the Nasarawa based side came out of her line, but the Obi Ogbala girls failed to utilize the opportunity.
Heartland Queens made a change as Orji was substituted for Kalu while the solid miners coach also drafted in Omosuyi .
3 minutes additional time was given after the expiration of 90 minutes play time and the Amazons came out fully at this point terrorizing the home teams but for the agility of the goal keeper who stood between the sticks.
The entertaining encounter remained with the score line until the referee called for the end of the game.
The coach Obi Ogbala girls will now shift focus on the 2025 federation cup round of 16 against a relatively unknown side Onimarge FC in Benin city at the weekend.
