The group stages of the Edo State Football League has continued with two interesting matches played in the Benin City zone. At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, J.J Stars suffered a 2-3 loss to experienced campaigners, St Thomas FC on Wednesday (Sept. 25) in a game that was billed as one between two fantastic ball-keeping sides.

The match which kicked off in front of an appreciable number of fans, saw J.J draw the first blood in the 5th minute of play through a header from Osas Asia which hit the cross bar and bounced just across the goal line.

A dazed St Thomas, who needed a win to stay alive in the competition, after their 1-2 loss to Nifor FC (the other team in the group) took time to respond. They were fortunate not to have been two goals down as brave defending from centre back Atakhor saved them from going further behind.

As the first half wore on, St Thomas established control of the game and were justly rewarded through a brillint header from Ehis off a corner kick in the 35th minute.

With moments of the first half remaining, enterprising Ebube put St Thomas in the lead with a wicked left footed strike to punish the passivity of the J.J Stars defence.

Osas Asia was not ready to see his team lose without a fight, as he got his second of the day just a few minutes into the second half.

The ding dong affairs of the game continued, and with about a quarter of an hour left, both sides saw red when Atakhor for St Thomas and Micheal Ibe of JJ Stars saw red for unsportsmanly behaviour.

Ebube got his double and sealed the points for St Thomas with a cool finish when he was left one-on-one with J.J Stars goalkeeper. Both sides missed glaring chances to score more goals in the dying moments as legs began to tire.

Coach of St Thomas, Shola, speaking with News Express after the game, said: “I am relieved we won. I believe J.J Stars can get a result against Nifor and that we will qualify.”

•Photo shows Osas Asia whose brace was not enough to save J.J Stars.