By: Olalekan Marvellous
The arts and social sciences football team edged the Special Education side 1-0 courtesy of a late Adeola junior’s spot kick played on Friday, 13th December, at the SUB pitch.
The game started as a tight-on affair, with both sides sizing each other out. Still, very early in the game, Dotun, the A.S.S.E pointsman, Coasts into space after beating his marker, but his effort was comfortably saved by the S.P.E goalkeeper.
Adeoti Peter was the brightest spark for the Ambassador Oladimeji-coached side, making dazzling runs through the midfield and posing a threat from the flanks, but the S.p.e defense proved resolute
The first half of proceedings witnessed very few chances as the highlight of the half was the midfield battle and clearances from the likes of Jay and Sinmiloluwa.
Peter almost broke the deadlock before the half-hour mark, but his snapshot was comfortably saved by the S.p.e goalkeeper.
Evidence, the man between the sticks for A.s.s.e was called into action late in the first half after Jay’s free-kick was parried over the crossbar to keep the first half barren, devoid of goals.
The second half had little goal threatening moments , and it seemed the game was ageing into a goaless draw, advancing into penalties. Until late in the game when Tim caroll’s next break proved decisive as he took advantage of more indecision by jay the s.p.e captain to race clear on goal before being chopped down by the defender as he prepared to shoot.The referee pointed to the spot .
In the dying minutes of a nail-biting match, Adeola junior delivered a penalty kick that will be remembered as a masterstroke of precision and poise. With the game on a knife’s edge and the weight of the team’s hopes resting on their shoulders, the striker stepped up to the spot .The stadium fell silent as he began a deliberate, confident run-up.
The goalie lunged early, diving to the right, only to watch helplessly as the ball glided coolly into the opposite corner of the net.
The placement was impeccable low, out of reach, and unstoppable even if the goalkeeper had guessed correctly. The crowd erupted in cheers as the striker raised their arms in triumph, a picture of composure under pressure, giving A.s.s.e a late clincher to win the trophy.
