Julius Ikechukwu shines as Gateway United pick maximum points in Agbor

Julius Ikechukwu shines as Gateway United pick maximum points in Agbor

Julius Ikechukwu’s brace fired Gateway United to a first away win of the 2020/2021 NNL season following a 2-1 victory over Apex Krane at Agbor Township Stadium, Delta.

The match day 23 clash which saw each half played in separate days recorded two changes to the squad that secured a 1 nil win over FC One Rocket with the inclusion of Seyi Okeowo and Mohammed Aman at the expense of the injured Michael Okolo and Sunkanmi Odusina.

16 minutes into the first half, red hot Julius Ikechukwu slotted home a loose ball off Abawula Anthony’s long throw-in, earning the visitors a well deserved lead.

However, the visiting side had barely settled from the euphoria of the lead when the hosts levelled as Osita Ifeanyi drilled a low drive to the back of the net.

Both goals characterised the first half with no clear cut chances created in the remainder of the half.

A heavy downpour then forced the postponement of the second half till the early hours of today, Thursday 5th August, 2021 as the visiting side continued from where it left off on Wednesday evening.

It was a busy second 45 for Gateway’s goalie Ibukun Araromi who kept the opponents at bay with series of saves particularly from delicate aerial balls.

With ten minutes left on the clock, in his usual style Julius Ikechukwu produced the magic moment again, nodding home Okeke Ebuka’s cross to bag a brace.

Krane’s Junior Aimufua then threatened with an effort in the visitors’ area which he could only blaze over the bar

Just at the death, the man of match Julius Ikechukwu missed a sitter to make it a hat trick after shooting straight into the hands of Pidoweu Amabetar.

*_It’s a result of hard work, resilience and tenacity, says coach Hakeem Buhari*_

Reacting to the victory, Hakeem Busari said the victory exemplifies hard work, resilience and tenacity of his side.

“It’s been a long time coming, so we give thanks to the Almighty. It wasn’t easy grinding such a result against a relegation threatened side. They did give it their all but my boys played to instruction and here we are, rejoicing over our first away win of the season”

“No doubt, the Aiteo cup experience has made them more confident and more composed in front of goal. Our focus is now onto the next game which is against J Atete this weekend and we hope to take maximum advantage of this great form” he concluded.

Moses Ojewumi
Media Officer, Gateway United