Thika hold Gor as Tusker stop Western Stima to go top of KPL

Gor Mahia midfielder Baba Kizito (left) controls the ball with Thika United’s Wycliffe Opondo in hot pursuit. [PHOTO: DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

Gor Mahia coach Bobby Williamson was left fuming after his side drew 1-1 with visiting Thika United at City Stadium on Sunday.

Williamson confronted centre referee Davies Omweno after the final whistle and later in an interview complained that the match official should have added more time instead of the three minutes.
“Thika United are used to wasting time and the referee should have added more time. Three minutes added time is an absolute joke. That is why the fans are frustrated and I am also frustrated,” he said.
But his Thika United counter-part John Kamau urged the Gor Mahia tactician to concern himself with what is in his domain.

“The amount of time to be added is solely at the discretion of the referee and not any coach. Williamson should concern himself with what is in his domain,” said Kamau.

Jackson Macharia opened the scores for Thika United with a 26th minute volley which beat Jerim Onyango in goal all the way.

However, it took only six minutes for Gor Mahia to get back into the match after top striker Dan Sserunkuma equalised from the penalty spot. Centre referee Davies Omweno pointed to the spot after Vincent Omumbo handled in his box while trying to clear a danger.

Gor Mahia’s Godfrey Walusimbi was the first to be booked getting his caution with just a few minutes to the break. David “Calabar” Owino was also booked for a high boot offence. Thika United goalkeeper Hamuza Muwonge was the other player who was booked for time wasting.
It was almost a game of two halves with Thika United enjoying possession in the opening minutes as they created scoring chances.

By the tenth minute, they had forced two corners with Sammy Meja and David Kingatua giving Gor Mahia fans plenty to worry about.

Gor Mahia coach Bobby Williamson was forced to bring new faces into his starting line-up after losing some key players in mid-season which saw him start Collins Okoth, John Kariuki and Timothy Otieno.

The three new players gave a good account of themselves with Timothy Otieno recently brought in from Talanta Academy making some inroads into the Thika United backline.

In an earlier match at the same venue, KRA hit Nairobi City Stars 3-1. Edwin Misiko scored into his own net in the 16th minute but Barack Odhiambo, Mohammed Hassan and Godfrey Kataka scored for the winners.

In Mumias, Tusker stopped Western Stima 1-0 with Brian Osumba netting the only goal to enable the brewers go to the top of the standings on goal aggregate.