Heartland Queens wrapped up the first stanza of the ongoing 2024/2025 NWFL Premiership in an emphatic fashion, cruising to a commanding 3-0 win against the visitors, Confluence Queens in Wednesday’s matchday 7 game at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri.
The high-stakes encounter on Wednesday saw both teams desperately searching for their first win of the campaign but it was the Owerri landladies who seized control of the moment right from kickoff with early blitz which sets the tone.
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Heartland Queens wasted no time in stamping their authority in the game, finding the breakthrough just two minutes after the opening whistle. A well delivered set piece was met by an imposing workaholic, Faith Samson, who out-jumped her markers to nod home the match opener thereby sending the home fans into instant frenzies.
Buoyed up by the early lead, the Owerri mainstreams kept their foot on the throttles, bombarding the visitors with relentless attacking play. Their persistence paid off in the 10th minute when skipper Chimebere Opara atoned for her earlier misses, showed great composure to rifle home a stunning finish and double the advantage.
With the hosts in full control, Confluence Queens had to regroup quickly. The Confluence City side responded with two tactical substitutions, tightening up their backline to withstand the Owerri side’s relentless onslaughts for the remainder of the first half.
The restart saw a more aggressive Confluence Queens as they attempted to claw back their way into the contest.
However, coach Obi Ogbala responded swiftly making a flurry of substitutions that reignited Heartland Queens’ attacking flair. The introduction of the duo, Monica Matthew for Chizoba Johnson and Emmanuel James for Tosin Ogundeko further added more bites to the homers’ hunger for goals.
Few minutes later, Yetunde Anyantosho and Faith Ekeke were thrown into the forays for Onyinyechi Kalu and Kelechi Orgii who brought fresh energies to the squad. The changes paid off with an instant dividend in the 71st minute when the in-form and side”s leading scorer, Monica Matthew – already with two goals to her name this season – rose highest to meet a precise delivery to bury a superb header putting the game beyond doubt.
The emphatic victory sees Heartland Queens with five points, though they remained seventh on the eight-team log while Confluence Queens stayed put at the bottom with no point.
With the first stanza of the league now concluded both teams will head into a short recess before going head to head once again in the reverse fixture in Kogi state, where the Owerri side will attempt a double over fellow strugglers.
