Fortune, they say, favours the brave. On Wednesday evening at the Sam Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, an unfancied but gallant Ineh Stars FC against all odds stunned Pro League Division One campaigners Insurance FC in the first round of the 2015 Edo State FA Cup competition 4-2 on penalties after regulation time ended one apiece.

This is the first time in more than two decades that Insurance would be failing to go beyond the first round of a competition they routinely won in the past.

Ineh’s goalkeeper, Eniye, was the hero of the day as he made crucial saves during the game, including two penalty saves during the shootout.

Insurance raced into an early lead when they were awarded a penalty kick after a rash challenge by an Ineh defender inside his own box.

However, Ineh didn’t allow their heads to drop and they were duly rewarded with a late first half equaliser.

Both teams had chances to win the game in regulation time but failed to convert, with Eniye thwarting a rampaging Daddy Bazuaye with a diving reflex save late in the second half.

Ineh, who came with a desire to avenge Insurance who eliminated them last year in the same competition, had overwhelming support from the crowd that watched the pulsating encounter.

For Insurance, it is one if the lowest lows of their history, and they failed dreadfully to make a case for themselves at a time when the State Government is under enormous pressure to invest more in the team.

In other matches played at the same stadium, BJ Foundation thrashed Paragon 3-1. Striker Francis Ikpomwonsa scored a hat-trick to become the tournament’s leading scorer.

Ikpomwonsa, who has been tasked with the responsibility of continuing the fine tradition of goalscoring where past leading strikers of the club like Isaac Success of Granada in the Spanish LA Liga left off, showed great quality with his ruthless calmness in front of goal. He converted his chances with three shots in the Paragon 18-yard box, two in the first and one in the second.

National Amateur Division One side Dynamite walked over their opponents St Thomas, who failed to show up for their Wednesday morning fixture.

The next round games are scheduled for next week.

•Photo by Nelson Dafe shows giant killers Ineh FC players celebrating the victory over Insurance.

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