Ushuru recover to beat St Joseph

Hosts St Joseph FC surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to Ushuru in a National Super League tie at a water-logged Afraha Stadium, Nakuru County on Monday.

Both sides had a hectic time trying to control the ball, whose movement was restricted by the water, which disrupted the smooth play.

After half hour, the saints seemed to have mastered the soggy pitch and notched the match opener, when Erick Omonge soared high to head home his first goal of the season, following a rising shot by Ken Onyango past Ushuru goalkeeper Isaiah Wakasala.

However, their lead was short lived as five minutes later, the Ken Kenyatta-coached Ushuru were gifted an own goal when defender Kevin Atsiano scored into his own net while trying to clear a goal bound shot from the six yard.

No goals followed and the teams headed into the halftime break tied at 1-1.

On resumption, Ushuru made sure they returned home with maximum points as Benson Amianda netted probably the fastest goal of the season.

Hardly 30 seconds into the second period, Amianda picked a lose ball inside the danger zone and sidestepped his markers before stepping forward to fire a fierce drive past a stranded saints goalkeeper Martin Lule.

Amianda should have widened the lead for the tax collectors but he missed another sitter inside the box in the 75th minute.

Saints coach Nicholas Mbogo made two quick changes introducing Harun Mwale and Dennis Dodi for Juma Hamisi and Michael Kamau.

The changes seemed to alter their attacking pattern with Adam Khaduli coming close to levelling the scores, but his well taken shot was cleverly blocked by Ushuru custodian for a fruitless corner.

Omonge, who gave the Ushuru defence some anxious moments, should have doubled his tally but continued with his tale of missed chances as the game entered the home stretch.

Saints' Adam Fadhili will rue this game for a long time as he had a golden opportunity to salvage at least a point for his side, but with only goalkeeper Wakasala to beat, he shot into his waiting hands before the ball bounced back into play and was cleared from the danger zone.

The match nearly ended prematurely when Saints players surrounded referee Amin Agik demanding a penalty after one of the Ushuru defenders allegedly handled the ball inside the box.

However, Agik waved play on to the chagrin of the saints players.

“This is the worst officiating I have seen this season and it seems it was a calculated move to deny us victory,” said a bitter Saints coach Mbogo.

Kenyatta on the other hand admitted it was a tough match.

“I thank God I have managed to win despite playing in a horrible pitch,” said Kenyatta , whose side play GFE at Camp Toyoyo grounds in Nairobi in their next outing.

Saints, who have amassed 14 points, play away to  Isbania FC on Sunday.