BY KINGSLEY UZOWULU.
Heartland Fc yesterday at the Dan Anyiam stadium Owerri defeated Plateau United of Jos by 2-0 in match day 36 of the NPFL.
The Naze Millionaires took the kickoff of the encounter through Surajudeen Lawal as they went straight into business.
Both sides seem to know one another inside out especially after a 5 goal thriller in the reverse fixtures in the first stanza of the league when the visitors beat the coach Emmanuel Amuneke tutored side by 3-2.
The two teams had a fair share of the ball possession and distribution with the home team showing more determination and commitments to go in front.
The deadlock was broken in the 18th min of the half when the Naze Millionaires prolific lethal finisher Surajudeen Lawal opened scoring for his team off a goal mouth scramble.
The Christian Molokwu led team did not relent even after scoring as they dictated the cause of play having built the required confidence and courage to confront the visitors at will.
The boys from the Plateau fought hard to level up but their efforts never paid off as Heartland fc held on tenaciously to their lead until the end of the half.
Upon resumption of the second half, Plateau United made a tripartite substitution as they sent in 3 players to fortify their squad. These changes brought some light into the team as they took charge of the midfield and made some attempts to score against the home side but for the agility of Kelvin Ogunga who stood firmly between the wood works.
The home team showed resilience, composure and commitments in the half largely because they knew they were in a precarious situation.
In the 55th min the Millionaires substituted Chuks(17) for Chukwudi Agor and in the 21th min Shimagande (7) was drafted in for Nassy Isaac.
The visitors continued their torment on the home side in other to get the much needed equalizer but, the Naze Millionaires maintained their grounds and superiority as the back four stood like a solid Rock.
In the 71st min Surajudeen Lawal scored a brace for his team when he fired a terrific shot that caught the goalie of the visitors standing flat footed.
The Jos boys were badly wounded as they made efforts for a consolatory goal that was not allowed by the composed and compact defense of the home team.
In the 80th min the bench of Heartland fc substituted Anthony Omaka and Surajudeen Lawal for Daniel Ekpo and Ori.
The duo went in and caused more havoc for Plateau United as they launched penetration into their vital area to add to their woes.
5min of additional time was given by the referee and the home team maintained status quo even as the visitors tried in vain to reduce the tally until the referee blasted his whitsle for the end of the match.
The Owerri landlords are now placed 16th on the NPFL log and will be on road away to Bendel Insurance in Benin for their next match before their last match for the 2024/25 NPFL season against Akwa United in Owerri.
