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Ziekezuo player heads the ball[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, August 15 (EMN): Crowd favourites New Market FC let go of much-deserved three points after they were compelled to settle for a 1-1 draw against 10-man Forerunners FC of 4th NAP, Thizama here at Kohima local ground on Tuesday.
Playing the second match of the day, New Market FC proved their dominance against the police team but their failure to find the back of the net on numerous occasions left them disappointed, as they could only earn a point.
New Market (four points) are now placed third in the table standing, behind league leaders Khriekesa FC (6 points), followed by United 16 FC who are placed second with four points on better goal difference.
The police team Forerunners were reduced to 10-man when Akhum pulled down New Market’s left forward Achamo Shitio in the 75th minute. The referee penalized Akhum with a red card as he had been cautioned with a yellow card earlier in the first half.
The New Market FC players will only have to blame themselves for failing to capitalize on the opportunities that came their way. As if luck was not on their side, the numerous attempts made by New Market in the second half were saved by the custodian of Forerunners FC, Kekhrie whose exceptional performance earned his team a much-needed point.
Forerunners striker Keneinguzo drew first blood when he scored in the 20th minute. Minutes earlier, the Forerunners got a chance to take the lead, but the striker Keneinguzo let go of the opportunity as his shot went far wide of the post.
Just minutes before the interval, New Market’s centre forward Chisie Nyusou scored the much-needed equalizer in the 44th minute to end the first half 1-1. The goal was a relief for Nyusou as he missed a clear header earlier in the 14th minute of the match which could have given the lead for his team.
Moving into the additional minutes, New Market could have taken the lead, but the Forerunners’ keeper came to the rescue of his team as he managed to save the long range shot of Chinibemo which was goal-bound.
Entering the second half, New Market took control of the match. The send-off of Akhum also compelled the Forerunners to go defensive, following which the New Market players entirely dominated the match.
As many as four to five clear scoring opportunities went in vain, though the combined effort of Rhitso Mero, Chisie Nyusou, and Achamo Shitio tried everything on their part to earn the three points.
Deservingly, the goalkeeper of Forerunners Kekhrie was the hero of the match as he kept frustrating their opponents.
New Market was given a scare when Seyiekhrietuo’s superb long range shot hit the bar in the 80th minute. Four minutes later, the Forerunners also created an opportunity, but the New Market defenders were quick to respond in putting the ball out of danger.
Moving into the last five minutes, New Market players made numerous attempts, but the keeper could have a hand on all of it. As for Forerunners, they would be quite satisfied with a draw, placing them sixth in the table with two points.
Longshebemo Tungoe of New Market and Akhum of Forerunners received yellow cards.
Addax FC overpowered Ziekezuo SC by 3-1 in the first match and secured three points. With the win, Addax FC are in the 4th place of the league with three points.
During the match, Addax took the early lead through Shiirhosiil Zhotso in the 3rd minute as Ziekezuo defenders failed clear a long ball and Addax took the opportunity to score the goal.
Ziekezuo found the much-needed goal through Tinyek Konyak to level the score in the 17th minute. But six minutes later Addax took the lead again through Sedevilie Kire as the first half ended 2-1 in favour of Addax.
Ziekezuo, looking for an equalizer in the second half, were denied a point as Imlongchaba netted the third goal for Addax in extra time to make it 3-1 at the end of the final whistle.
At the end of the second round, Khriekesa FC with six points remained at the top of the Kohima Football League; Khriekesa FC will now take on New Market FC in the third round of the Kohima Football League on Thursday. Ziekezuo SC without a win in the league sits at the bottom of the league.