Heartland Beat Pillars To Go Top

Heartland of Owerri on Wednesday defeated last season's champions of
the Nigeria Professional Football League, Kano Pillars, 1-0 at the Dan
Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, to go top of the Globacom Premier League table
at the end of the sixth week.

The match, which was meant to be played on the first day of the
season, was shifted to Wednesday because of the attack suffered by
Pillars on their way to Owerri a few days to the start of the season.

A lone goal from the penalty spot by Bright Ejike in the 65th minute
ensured that Heartland have 12 points from six matches - one higher
than Giwa and Enyimba, who sit second and third respectively separated
by goal differences.

The game started with the home side forcing the visitors to their half
of the field of play and by the end of the first half, Heartland was
the closest to scoring as evidenced by the seven shots on goals
recorded against Pillars' three.

The hosts also had eight corners in the first half alone against none
played by the visitors while Pillars committed more fouls - 13 -
against Heartland's seven.

The second half saw the Owerri side coming out as they did in the
first but Pillars maintained their defensive cool till the 65th minute
when Adamu Hassan blocked a header with his hand and the referee
awarded Heartland a penalty, which Ejike converted.

Efforts by the champions to equalise were thwarted. Pillars however
remain 11th in the table with nine and a game in hand.
--PUNCH