Leke James nets eighth Eliteserien goal of the season in Molde’s victory against Strømgodset

Leke James’ second-half strike was instrumental in Molde’s 2-1 home win over Strømgodset in 2020 Eliteserien matchday 22 fixture on Sunday.

The 27-year-old forward came off the bench in the second half to score Molde’s second of the day, 12 minutes after Martin Ellingsen’s header — off Magnus Eikrem’s corner — had shot the home team to a 70th-minute lead.

James, who replaced Norwegian striker of Nigerian descent, Anthony Omoijuanfo on the 66th minute, received a lofted pass in the 82nd minute from Magnus Eikrem, cut onto his right, before delivering a low shot beyond Viljar Myhra’s reach and into the bottom left corner to register his eighth goal in 15 Eliteserien games for The Town of Roses club this term.

Despite featuring for just 24 minutes, the former Aalesund striker and 2019 Eliteserien winner — who scored two goals for Molde during the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League preliminaries — registered three shots and delivered three accurate passes.

Molde, though, failed to keep a clean sheet — with Valdimar Ingimundarson netting what turned out to be a consolatory goal for the visitors five minutes from normal time, after latching on to Lars-Jørgen Salveson’s through ball.

The win keeps Erling Moe’s side in second place in the Norwegian top-flight table with 59 points and maintains their one-point advantage over third-placed Rosenborg, who earned a 2-1 victory at Sarpsborg 08.

Molde, who are 16 points behind leaders Bodo Glimt will continue their 2019-20 Europa League campaign with a Group B, matchday two tie against Austrian side, Rapid Vienna on Thursday.