Sporting Lagos salvage point at home as Barau FC extend unbeaaten run

Sporting Lagos salvage point at home as Barau FC extend unbeaaten run

By: Muiz Adeshina 

Sodiq Ayoade’s second-half equaliser earned Sporting Lagos a point as they played out a 1-1 draw with Barau FC at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Saturday, with the visitors extending their unbeaten run in the NPFL.

Barau FC made the brighter start in Lagos, putting Sporting under pressure in the opening stages and forcing goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt into action.

The teenage goalkeeper produced an important save in the ninth minute, denying Suur Kumaga from a dangerous free-kick as Barau looked to make their early dominance count.

Sporting Lagos gradually settled into the contest and began to assert themselves. In the 21st minute, Aliyu Baba tested the Barau goalkeeper with a strike from distance, with Joel Ajibola following up to finish the rebound. However, the assistant referee’s flag was raised for offside and the goal did not stand.

The game continued to open up, with chances falling to both sides before Barau were handed the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot.

In the 32nd minute, the referee pointed to the spot after Uloko was adjudged to have fouled a Barau attacker inside the area.

Joseph Atule took responsibility and made no mistake, sending Harcourt the wrong way to put Barau FC 1-0 ahead.

Atule remained a threat moments later, striking from distance in search of a second, but his effort flew over the crossbar.

Sporting Lagos responded with pressure of their own before the interval. Haruna Hadi’s effort from the edge of the box was blocked by a Barau defender, while another promising move in the closing stages saw Aliyu Baba turn brilliantly through the middle of the defence.

Baba was unable to find Uloko Samuel with the final pass, however, and the ball eventually rolled narrowly wide of goal.

Barau therefore entered the break with a one-goal advantage.

Sporting Lagos returned for the second half with renewed intensity and quickly took control of the game. Their sustained pressure eventually produced the equaliser in the 60th minute.

Sodiq Ayoade found the back of the net to restore parity and bring Sporting Lagos back into the contest.

The hosts continued to press for a second goal. Five minutes after the equaliser, Valentine Ugwu came close to completing the turnaround following another flowing Sporting Lagos move, but his effort went over the target.

Sporting maintained the momentum, with Victor Samuel producing a fine turn in the 72nd minute before being brought down in a dangerous position. Haruna Hadi stepped up for the resulting free-kick, but his effort was unable to beat the defensive wall.

Barau FC, despite coming under sustained pressure, remained dangerous on the counter and came close to regaining the lead. Harcourt once again proved crucial for Sporting Lagos, producing a superb double save in the second half to deny the visitors.

Neither team could find the decisive goal during the closing stages, despite three minutes of additional time being played.

The final whistle confirmed a 1-1 draw, leaving Sporting Lagos with a point after their second-half response, while Barau FC continued their unbeaten start to the campaign.