NWFL Matchday 1: Heartland Queens annihilate Royal Queens in four goals thriller 

By Sportsgister

Heartland Queens demolished four-goal their visitors, Royal Queens 4-0 in Wednesday’s NWFL Premiership Matchday 1 clash at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri.

The homers intent was clear from the blast of the whistle. 53 seconds into the game even before the opponents could settle down, slippery attacker, Onyinyechi Kalu had hit the back of the net to the consternation of the oil city side’s goalkeeper, Adefunke Enugbokan and also holding the record of the fastest goal so far this season.

Pitiable goalie, Enugbokan was to be stunned seven minutes later by dead ball specialist, Chidinma Anaele. The hapless shots stopper was rooted on the spot as the ball caresses her back of the net.

Unable to contain the homers ceaseless forays into the visitors’ vital areas, under pressure defender, Gift Afigbediitor turned her head into her own net to give the Owerri Landladies a cushioning third goal.

And Afigbediitor has to pay severely for letting in three goals in less than 20 minutes as she was substituted by the second choice goalkeeper, Catherine Gabriel.

Both sides went into the locker room on three goals advantage for the Owerri side as efforts to increase the goal tally by the duo of Lucky Mary and Chimebere Opara were stoutly rebuffed.

Heartland Queens’ all time top scorer, Lucky Mary was made to look ordinary in the entire game and as usual received the most severe and vicious knocks together with the duo, Chimebere Opara and Faith Sampson.

Undone with the three goals advantage, the homers pulled out the trio, Mary, Onyinyechi and Sampson for Chinedu Chinaka, James Emmanuella and Charles Nwabueze to further the search for more goals.

However, the visitors, perhaps, looked like they have told themselves enough is enough for the homers growing domination as they took the battle to their hosts vital areas with the introduction of former Nigerian international, Charity Reuben but practically holidaying goalie of Heartland Queens, Uchenna Chukwu had all the answers.

But when it looked like both sides are satisfied with the state of affairs, substitute, Chinedu Chinaka out of nothing slot in the match winner at the dot of 90 minutes.

The four additional minutes did not produce any change in the scoreline as the centre referee signalled the end of the match with the homers on an emphatic four-goal victory.

The Owerri side will embark on a road trip to meet former champions, Nasarawa Amazons for the NWFL Premiership Matchday 2 clash at the Lafia City Stadium.