NWFL: Rivers Angels close in on leaders Bayelsa Queens

Rivers Angels moved to within a point of leaders Bayelsa Queens after snatching a 1-0 win at Ibom Angels on Wednesday.
Edwin Okon’s ladies were looking to get a win, so they could narrow the gap between themselves and table-toppers Bayelsa Queens.
Ultimately, things turned out well for them, as they squeezed a win in Uyo and Bayelsa Queens lost 1-0 at Delta Queens.
The guests were also aiming to win the fixture, but for a different reason: in order to move up the table. But in the end were inflicted a second home loss of the season.
Rivers Angels bossed the largely one-sided game at Godswill Akpabio Stadium Training Pitch, with the hosts struggling to deal with the Port Harcourt side’s pressing intensity.
Despite their dominance, they needed a 70th-minute deflected strike to secure a win against the Uyo club — and a second victory on the road in the current campaign.
Late on, Ibom Angels thought they should have had a penalty after goalkeeper Ibubeleye White appeared to have fouled Uduakaobong Peter, who tried to connect with a lofted pass. The referee instead booked the forward and suggested that she had deliberately gone to ground.
The first half failed to produce any goals, but there were a number of goalscoring opportunities. Despite Rivers Angels being in firm control, it was the hosts that went closest.
Efiomawan Efiom squeezed a shot through a crowd, but was denied by the upright. No Orange shirt was in position to tap in the rebound, and Rivers Angels cleared the danger.
Just before the half-time whistle, Damilola Koku nearly beat her former Ibom Angels team-mate Lucky Andy at her near post.
After the break, Okon’s side increased their intensity following some substitutions.
Substitute Precious Christopher looked sharp after coming on. She caused problems at the hosts’ back before seeing her low effort deflected in by Jennifer Oliver. The former Ibom Angels winger may have well claimed the goal, but the authorities adjudged it to be an own goal.
Another substitute, Vivian Ikechukwu proved to be very effective, as she carved open the home side a number of times and crashed the ball against the crossbar midway through the second half.
With ten minutes left to play, Koku failed to make the most of a chance to double the visitors’ lead. Ikechukwu raced on to a through ball and picked out the striker with a square pass, but the no. 30 — who was under a strong challenge — could not guide the ball home from three yards out.

The NWFL Premiership Table After Week 5. pic.twitter.com/y6rKcEmNOV

— NWFL (@TheNWFL) February 11, 2021

The result puts Rivers Angels level on points with Edo Queens, who beat Nasarawa Amazons 1-0 in Benin.
It also reduces the gap between the second-placed side and leaders Bayelsa Queens to just a point, but leaves Ibom Angels just two places above the drop zone.