HOUSTON, Texas (AP)—Another game-winning strike from Glen Amakwe gave Shooting Stars FC a dramatic 2-3 victory over Alliance ME in a 1B clash on Sunday afternoon.
With this win, SSFC remains in second place, although they were missing 6 players. “I think this shows the tremendous depth we have at all positions. With having 4 starters missing the game, we were still able to play at a high level and come out with a victory.” said team manager James Oriabure.
Farouk Alawa struck 19 minutes into the game to give SSFC the lead after Sulaimon Ajibode laid a perfectly weighted through ball onto the path of the second year striker. There might have been a question of whether he was offsides but there was no question about his finishing.
In the 35th minute, the spectators were once again graced with a spectacular strike from the emerging Osagie Otoikhine. After collecting a loose ball, Osagie turned and hit a 25 yard shot from outside the left side of the box. That goal put SSFC in control the rest of the first-half.
As the second half began, the defense was looking to hold strong and maintain the pressure that had held Alliance to only one shot on goal in the first half.
Despite being under pressure, Allaince remained in the game and kept the deficit down to two goals but they were struggling to create clear-cut chances in front of goal.
Wole Omogunsoye and Glen Amakwe were causing constant problems for Alliance’s backline as they pulled the full-backs out of position with ease and regularity.
Glen increased his goal tally for the season to two when he was on the receiving end of a beautiful build up from SSFC. After collecting a pass from Abbas Assadi, Wole dribbled pass the Alliance left defender and squared a pass to Glen. Glen then made a 180 turn and hit a strike to the upper left corner of the goal. It looked like SSFC was in full control of the game but Alliance wasn’t going to go without a fight.
5 minutes after scoring on a loose ball from a corner kick, Alliance charged down the left side of the field and sled the ball pass a diving Erhomu. The goal appeared to take the stuffing out of SSFC, but they eventually settled down again and maintained a solid defense.
After the game veteran right back, Okechukwu Ofili, was quoted as saying, “Today’s game showed a more mature and experienced SSFC side. The defense needs to be strengthened and stamina is still an issue but all in all SSFC took another step towards certain promotion.”
Next, SSFC takes on newly promoted Smokin Aces.
