Bernard Ovoke struck his fifth goal of the season as Rivers United beat Akwa United 1-0 in a Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) contest on Wednesday.<br /><br />Ovoke&rsquo;s strike, in the fifth minute of the game, took a wicked deflection off Harrison Ibukun to hoodwink the Akwa United goal keeper, Bassey Akpan. <br /><br />Clear cut opportunities were few and far between in the contest but the hosts almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half time.<br /><br />Ovoke&rsquo;s teasing ball, following exceptional work by Obomate Frederick found Godbless Asamoah on the left but the Ghanaian skied his volley wide to the anguish of the home faithful.<br /><br />Rivers United had the first real goal scoring opportunity after the break, on the hour with Obomate shockingly firing over from 14 yards with just Bassey at his mercy.<br /><br />Akwa&rsquo;s best chance arrived eight minutes before the restart when Ukaeme Davies headed over from close range after Friday Ubong expertly set him up with a cross.<br /><br />The win lifts Rivers United up to second on the NPFL standings with 31 points from 18 matches while Akwa drop to seventh with 27 points from 18 matches.<br /><br />Sammy Wejinya,Media Officer Rivers United<br />