Hot Greensharks cruise past Sikh Union into premier league semis

Dennis Obata (left) of Park Road team is challenged by Geoffrey Nyagaga and Edwin Otieno of Greensharks during their Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) premier league match at City Park Stadium on October 12, 2014. Greensharks have booked their place in this season’s Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) play-offs. PHOTO | MARTIN MUKANGU |

What you need to know:

  • UoN thrash NYS at City Park for first win this season, Kimathi varsity gift Karate walkover
  • Tony Agesa of Nakuru said his team simply failed to turn up for the game and were punished by a more clinical side.

Greensharks on Saturday became the first team to book their place in this season’s Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) play-offs following their convincing 4-0 victory over hosts Nakuru Sikh Union at the Nakuru Sikh Temple hockey grounds.

Two goals by Kenya international Leon Magomere and further strikes from Kevin Simiyu and Samuel Mucheke confirmed the law enforcers a place in the premier league semi-final, capping a wonderful performance so far this season.

Simiyu got Sharks going in the fifth minute when he finished off a lovely move from after nice work from Kark Labieny. Magomere made it 2-0 on the half-hour mark, sounding the board after his team was awarded a short corner.

Nakuru got a chance to get back into the game just before the break after they were awarded a penalty in the 33rd minute. However, Barnabas Odhiambo’s flick went wide, to the disgust of the home fans.

It got worse for the home team in the second half with the visitors adding two more goals to underline their dominance in the game.

Magomere finished off another short corner in the 55th minute to grab his brace before setting up Samuel Mucheke to score the fourth goal and condemn the home side to their worst defeat this season.

The result sees Sharks move to the top of Pool ‘A’ with 11 points, having completed their league matches this season unbeaten.

“It was a brilliant performance from the lads; we were dominant from start to finish,” said Greensharks coach Nixon Nyangaga. “We worked hard, fought for every ball and we have been rewarded with a play-off spot.

“We will rest and then resume training on Tuesday to prepare for the semi-finals.”

FAILED TO TURN UP

His counterpart Tony Agesa of Nakuru said his team simply failed to turn up for the game and were punished by a more clinical side.

At the City Park Stadium, University of Nairobi thrashed National Youth Service (NYS) 6-1 in a national league match to record their first win of the season.

Two goals each from Derick Ouma and Stephan Ochieng’ helped UoN to the huge victory over a poor NYS side. Other UoN players who got their names in the score sheet were James Ogachi and Norman Gabula.

The victory takes the university side to fourth place in Pool ‘B’ on four points from four games.

In another game, Karate were handed a walkover after their opponents Kimathi University failed to show up for their match.