Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin, weekend, pipped Abeokuta Stormers 1-0 in front of their home fans at the MKO Abiola Stadium to record their first away win of the season.
Substitute Taiwo Oripelaye scored the only goal of the game at the 41st minute of proceedings. The striker latched on a loose ball from the home team goalkeeper whose gloves could not grip Dede Muoghara’s curled free kick taken from about 22 yards to the area and fired into the net from the edge of the box to send the visiting fans into jubilation.
The Benin Arsenal who have now closed the four points gap on group B1 leaders Gateway Utd to one, went to the dressing room on halftime break with the 0-1 lead.
On resumption of the second half, the home team woke up from their slumber and began to mount pressure on the Benin Arsenal who looked very strong to break.
No doubt, the Stormers threats disturbed the visitors but kudos to Goalkeeper Kolawole Oladipo who made several great saves to keep Insurance hope alive.
In the 80th minute,the pressure on Insurance resulted in the centre referee awarding a penalty kick to the Stormers but Olalekan stepped forward to give his side an equalizer only to throw away the spot kick as Kolawole did not move an inch from his position.
The home team made Insurance labour for their first away win as they became tougher throughout the second half. The Stormers had no choice but to settle for the home lose as Insurance held on to the slim advantage till the sound of the final whistle.
Insurance now have 18 points to maintain second position on the Group B1 log,a point behind Gateway Utd.
The Monday Odigie led Benin Arsenal will be playing host to Giant Briler FC on Saturday in Benin.
