Vandrezzer FC were lucky to escape with a point against Ibom Youths FC in matchday 8 of the Nigeria National League, NNL, on Friday.
Saviour Isaac scored his third goal of the season in the 8th minute to give the Lions a deserved lead which reflected their dominance in the first 45 minutes.
Olalekan Abdulsalam, Solomon Etiti and Uwem Charles had chances to extend the lead for the home side but failed to hit target as they came back to rue those misses.
Despite being outplayed by the Lions in the first half, Ibom Youths emerged from the dugout a new team with renewed vigor.
The Akwa Ibom side thought they scored the equaliser when Wisdom Ndon nodded home from a corner but the goal was ruled out when the linesman spotted an infringement and raised her flag.
Ndon was not to be denied the second time with another powerful header in the 66th minute from a free kick taken by Victor Ifiok to draw the game level and secure his side a fourth draw on the draw this season.
The result leaves Vandrezzer FC with another fail opportunity to win at home, the third time this season after failing to beat Bendel Insurance and Ikorodu United.
Vandrezzer FC head coach, Henry Makinwa praised the away side for giving his team a ‘fight’ but believes they can make up for lost points.
“Two fantastic sides, we played against an experienced side who gave us a fight,” Makinwa told The Athletic NG after the game.
“We have about 15 to 16 games to go, it is not an opportunity lost, we still have opportunities to make up, we don’t know the results of others. They (Ibom Youths) are a good side but we lost four to five chances, we could have won the game in the first half.
“Gideon missed a very good chance in the second half, what do you do as a coach in such situations?
“We picked a point away last week, the league is a marathon, we are going to win away or pick a draw like they have done today,” he said.
Coach of Ibom Youths FC, Emmanuel Ntuk told The Athletic NG that his side will not lose in Lagos and said his team threw everything at the Lions in the second half.
“When two elephants fight, the grass will suffer. I told you before the game that we will pick a point. The best way to defend is for you to attack, we played cautiously in the first half and studied how they played and in the second half we decided to throw everything at them to attack and we conquered.”
The point moves Vandrezzer FC temporarily to 4th with 10 points and Ibom Youths FC to 2nd with 13 points.
Vandrezzer FC will travel to Ado-Ekiti to play 8th-placed Ekiti United while Ibom Youths will return to Ikot Ekpene to face Osun United next weekend.
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