BY 

RAYMOND NWADUBA 

Two goals from enterprising Segun Taofeek and Shammah Isiaye were all
Remo Ikenne based side, Grassrunners FC needed to defeat Green Lock FC 1-2 in their Nationwide League One (NLO) Division One game played Thursday at the Ebedei Sagamu Centre in Ogun state.

The NLO new boys showed class as they dominated the match most of the time against their more experienced opponents, which is not a bad side.

Their free - flowing possession brand of football proved too hot to handle by their opponents which could not really comprehend their style.

However, it was Green Lock who broke the deadlock through a well executed corner kick which was nodded home from close range by their player to go 1-0 ahead.

The coach Paul Offor tutored  Grassrunners were startled but not overwhelmed as they opened their goal account in the 40th minute through a tap in by Segun Taofeek from a well worked combination play to draw level 1-1. 

Shammah Isiaye then made it two in extra time just before the half time break, after an exquisite first touch, before roofing the ball from a difficult angle into the back of the net to put them 1-2 ahead.

The second half ended with the same scoreline 1-2 despite both sides creating ample scoring opportunities which were not converted. 

But for coach Offor the three points were more important while they go home to work and correct their mistakes.

"Victory in your first game is always very important in every tournament because it helps the team's confidence.

"I'm particularly happy about how the boys responded after going a goal down, which is the hallmark of every good side - the ability to show character when they have their backs on the wall.

"We will go back to the drawing board, keep working on our goals conversion ratio because we can't keep creating chances and fail to bury them", he said.

Grassrunners will come up against Almar FC in their next fixture on Monday, April 28 before facing Seyi Olofinjana's Imperial FC two days later in the 12 -team group centre.

Other teams in the centre include Ladegbuwa FC, Atlantic Business FC, Ijebu Athletic, FC Ebedei, SGFC Athletics, Sagamu Rovers, Star Builders FC and Voe FC.