NWFL: EMEM ESSIEN'S BRACE HANDS IBOM ANGELS FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON 

Goals either side of halftime from Emem Essien earned Ibom Angels a 2-0 win over Sure Babes and their first victory of the season.

The Orange Ladies headed into Wednesday’s game at the Uyo Township Stadium not only searching for their first victory but also their first goal of the season. 
Emem Essien needed just three minutes to lob past goalkeeper Bashirat Abdulraheem to put her side in front. It meant Angels waited 274 minutes to get their debut goal of the campaign.
Whyte Ogbonda’s ladies should have doubled the lead after Glory Edet was brought down in the penalty after dazzling past two defenders. Abdulraheem went down to save the resultant penalty taken by Blessing Edoho.
With so much pressure to win, Ogbonda brought on Precious Christopher for the ineffective Edoho. It didn’t take long before she made impact. The forward hit a delightful left-footed shot towrds goal, only to see her effort deflected wide.
Essien also saw Abdulraheem keep out her effort, though at second attempt — and Christopher got in the way of Glory Ogbonna’s volley.
At the other end, Favour Damaris blew away a counter-attack. Yemisi Osanyinjobi latched on to a through ball, squared the ball to Damaris, only for the no.18 to apply too much weight on the ball.
Christopher continued to impress in the second half. The former Abia Angels player, a little over the hour mark, cut onto her right at the edge of the box after racing on to a long ball, but her final effort missed target. There were more to come from the no. 9 but it was Essien who found the net again to increase the Uyo side’s lead.
Abdulraheem spilled a shot and with the Ilorin’s club failing to clear the rebound, the forward capitalized to score her second of the evening•