Umar’s hat-trick inspires Almeria past SD Ponferradina

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Former Nigerian youth player gets the thrush as Rojiblancos’ LaLiga promotion chase gets a big boost

Sadiq Umar netted three times when Almeria defeated SD Ponferradina 3-1 in Sunday’s Segunda tour.

The U23 Nigeria star defeated goalkeeper Jose Antonio Caro three times in the first half when Jose Gomes 2021’s team started on a flying note.

After bouncing 2-1 to Espanyol their last outing, the guests went into the ditch looking for all the high points that the Spanish topflight promotion bid would do a lot good. And within two minutes of the kick-off, Umar gave them a well-deserved lead after support from Ager Aketxe.

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In the 21st minute, the former AS Roma forward doubled his side’s advantage by going home after Nikola Maras completed a corner kick played by Jose Lazo.

Eight minutes later, his treble ended in a cool finish inside the six-yard box as Almeria led three goals into the half-time break. By then, Umar had missed an opportunity to make four because his picture kissed the woodworker after he controlled the ball with his chest.

Looking dead and buried, Ponferradina came into the second half to keep the goal line popular. Nonetheless, the guests were reduced to ten after referee Eduardo Iglesias gave the marching orders to Sergio Akieme for a dangerous play.

The numerical disadvantage resulted in a goal La Pofe the courage to push forward and luckily, they pulled one back through substitute Curro Sanchez with eight minutes left to play.

Juan Villar has replaced Umar who now has nine goals from 14 innings in the 2020-21 season. For the Bolo side, Mali’s Moussa Sidibe and the Republic of Niger’s Yac Magagi were used.

Thanks to this result, Almeria climbed to third place in the log after collecting 41 points from 20 games – a point behind leaders Espanyol, while Ponferradina remained in seventh position with 30 points from the same number of games.

Umar who has been immediately for the Segunda side since joining them on a five-year contract from the Serbian club Partizan on 5 October 2020 would aim to continue his blistering form when Almeria take over Numancia in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey match.

Four days later, they take on Leganes Kenneth Omeruo in a league match scheduled for Estadio Municipal de Butarque.

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