Albert Hilary was the hero of Nigeria Premier Football League Matchday 14 after he scored a sensational hat-trick to help Plateau United whitewash Bayelsa United 5-1 while Lobi Stars ended the nine game unbeaten run of Doma United in Lafia to move to second spot on the league table.
Hilary made the encounter at the New Jos Stadium his own after he scored the opening three goals in the 22nd , 24th and 61st minutes before Silas Nenrot and Chimezie Izuchukwu added one more each in the 67th and 89th minutes as the Promise Keepers decimated the Prosperity Boys 5-1.
Bayelsa United did get one through Ekeson Okorie in the 28th minute but it was only a consolation goal. The huge win lifted Plateau United to the fourth spot with 22 points from 13 games.
At the Lafia City Stadium, Lobi Stars beat Doma United 2-1 to end the Savannah Tigers’ nine game unbeaten run. They didn’t concede any goal while the streak lasted thanks to Kingdom Osayi mettle between the goal posts.
Stanley Oganbor put Eugene Agagbe boys ahead in the fourth minute before Suleiman Mojereoma got the insurance goal in the 79th minute. Samuel Enefiok reduced the goal arrears in the 90th minute.
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With the victory, Lobi Stars displaced the Savannah Tigers to occupy the second spot with 26 points.
Remo Stars kept top spot until next set of games despite losing 2-1 away to Kano Pillars.
Ibrahim Mustapha got the curtain raiser in the 50th minute but the Sky Blue Stars equalised through Dayo Ojo in the 72nd minute before Sai Masu Gida’s Rabiu Ali got the match winner 11 minutes before the end of the game.
With the home win, Kano Pillars move to the sixth spot with 22 points while Remo Stars remain atop only on goals difference ahead of Lobi Stars. They both have 26 points.
In Owerri, Heartland FC made it a successive home win for the first time this season after they pipped Akwa United 1-0 through Chidiebere Ajoku’s 45th minute clincher.
The win lifted the Naze Millionaires to the 18th spot with 13 points but Akwa United remain in the drop zone with 14 points and on 17th spot.
Rangers International FC got back to winning ways after a 2-0 home win over Sporting Lagos. Austin Onyemaechi put the Flying Antelopes ahead in the 10th minute before Kebechukwu Agu sealed the maximum points with the second goal from the penalty spot in the 89th minute. Rangers are 10th with 18 points as a result of the vital win but the Noisy Lagosians are in 13th spot with 16 points.
It was a five goal thriller in Umuahia between Abia Warriors and visiting Shooting Stars of Ibadan. The home team managed to edge the game 3-2. The Oluyole Warriors stunned their host with the opening goal in the 38th minute through Anayo Ogbonna but the hosts responded with three of theirs scored in the 45th , 56th and 81st minute through Kelechi Nnochiri, Ifeanyi Anaemena and Samson Obi. Shooting Stars pulled another goal back in the 90th minute through Demola Kareem but it was little too late.
Kwara United were held to a goalless draw in Ilorin by Niger Tornadoes who allegedly had their head coach, Hamza Abara suspended before the game while under fire Gombe United led by Mohammed Babaganaru got a 1-1 draw in Akure off Sunshine Stars.
Matchday 15 games are billed for Thursday across the federation to ensure it doesn’t clash with the Christmas celebration.