By sportsnewsarena correspondent
Nov 06, 2017
Butali Sugar Warriors bounced back to winning track in the Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men’s Premier League with a 4-1 win against Nakuru Athletics Club at the City Park Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
Unlike in the previous match on Saturday where they lost 1-3 to Green Sharks, Butali lifted their tempo and displayed attacking hockey which helped them score four goals.
The goal scorers were Seth Oburu, Lawrence Okubasu, Maxwell Fuchaka and Zack Aura.
In this match, Butali attacked right from the start and exerted relentless pressure against the visitors who were looking for their second win after humbling Kenyatta University 3-1 on Saturday.
The opening minutes saw Barnabas Odhiambo attack from the right flank as he entered the D, but the alert Nakuru defence thwarted the attempt.
Keeping constant pressure, the immediate former champions earned a penalty corner in the 10th minute but were unable to convert.
In the fifth minute, Fuchaka delivered a crucial cross to Oburu who opened the account for Butali on the rebound, giving his team the lead.
Butali continued their forage and seven minutes later, a brilliant move by Okubasu caught the Nakuru defense on the back foot to notch the second.
Poor finishing
They created numerous chances in the second quarter but were let down by poor finishing.
In the 23rd minute, the Butali were awarded a penalty corner but Nakuru custodian Dennis Mageto came out with a brilliant save to make sure Butali went into halftime still ahead 2-0.
With Butali looking for more goals, Nakuru resorted to counter attacks, but could not break the Butali defence.
At the restart, an unmarked Aura had a great chance to make it three in the 41st minute but he deflected the ball wide of the post.
Nakuru kept on pressing hard for a goal throughout the third quarter and were successful when David Pewa, in the 45th minute, beat Joseph Osino in goal with a low shot to make it 2-1.
Nakuru’s celebration lasted for only two minutes as Fuchaka sounded the board with a ferocious shot.
Both sides tried out different strategies to add more goals at the beginning of the last quarter.
But, it was Butali who were rewarded for being consistent with their attacks when Oburu’s accurate pass to Aura helped Butali slot in the fourth in the 58th minute and put the game completely beyond the visitors’ reach.
Butali coach Godfrey Wakachunga was relieved. "We really played very good attacking hockey and scored some beautiful field goals. The players must be very happy now after what happened yesterday (Saturday). We will keep on working hard in the coming matches and see how far we will go. But we are not out yet,” Wakachunga said.
With Green Sharks having secured a win on Saturday, Butali remain third with 36 points from 16 matches.
Mwangi scored a double
In the women's league, Jackline Mwangi scored a double as defending champions Telkom Orange overran Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) 5-0.
Mwangi slotted in the opener in the 12th minute before Barbara Simiyu made it two from a penalty corner in the 26th minute.
Three minutes later, Mwangi scored the third goal.
Maureen Okumu and Lilian Aura added one each in a span of three minutes in the 36th and 39th minutes.
In another match, Winnie Ingati was also on target twice as Strathmore University Scorpions beat Mombasa Sports Club 5-0.
Gilly Okumu put the students ahead in the second minute before Ingati slotted in the second 10 minutes later. Skipper Yvonne Karanja made it 3-0 in the 19th minute.
Denise Odongo made it four in the 38th minute. Ingati scored her second of the day with six minutes left.
Results
Sunday: Women's Premier League - Strathmore University Scorpions 5 Mombasa Sports Club 1, Telkom Orange 4 JKUAT 0 ; Men's Premier League: Butali Sugar Warriors 4 Nakuru Athletic Club 1.
