Chemelil beat Sony: Goalkeeper Adira loses on his debut as teams focus on KPL starting this weekend

Chemelil Sugar beat archrival Sony Sugar 1-0 during a build-up match at Chemelil Sports Complex on Sunday.

The win left Chemelil's former custodian Jairus Adira, voted 2014 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) goalkeeper of the year, humiliated having moved to the opponent's side in January.

The 2015 KPL build-up between the two sister sugar milling premier clubs started on a low note with play concentration in the mid-field area with occasional goal-bound moves by Chemelil Sugar striker Meshack Karani, who latched on superb crosses by indefatigable Antony Nganga.

Chemelil Sugar head coach Mike Mururi made a few substitutions on resumption, a move that increased the tempo of the game as the hosts poured forward in search of the opener.

However, Sony Sugar's manager Zedekiah 'Zico' Otieno benched and replaced three players at ago to reinforce his stable and check-mate the opposition.

But it was the decision by Mururi that turned the game as Chemelil Sugar held possession longer leaving their rivals to play defensively.

Chemelil Sugar players piled pressure on visiting Sony Sugar with new signing Jackson Oketch notching the all-important goal for the hosts in the 71st minute.

Oketch pounced on a left flank cross by Tony Opondo to rifle the ball past former Chemelil Sugar custodian Adira.

Oketch's goal elicited applause from the fans who turned up in large numbers.

This forced Sony Sugar tactician 'Zico' to substitute Adira with newly signed custodian Lucas Indeche.

Speaking to Feverpitch after the build-up Chemelil Sugar team manager Rajab Saidi said the match against Sony Sugar was their last as they focus on their first 2015 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) match against AFC Leopards this weekend.

In England, Stoke City's Glenn Whelan says their performance in the 4-1 FA Cup fifth-round exit at Blackburn was the worst he has seen in seven years at the club.

Mark Hughes' side have conceded eight goals in their last two matches.

"To the fans I apologise, because that's not the Stoke City that I know," said the 31-year-old midfielder.

"The players didn't want to be out there. You could see that after the first 10 minutes. That's the worst I've ever seen," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We're not prepared to work hard enough," he added. "We've got good players, but maybe we haven't got enough in the dressing room and hopefully the manager has seen that."

Following Wednesday night's 4-1 home defeat by Manchester City, Peter Crouch fired Stoke into the lead at Ewood Park before it started to go wrong in the final 10 minutes of the first half.

Josh King equalised then went down in the penalty area, resulting in a straight red card for Geoff Cameron and a penalty that Rudy Gestede converted.

Norway-born former Manchester United trainee King then twice outpaced the Stoke defence within five minutes to earn Blackburn their place in Monday night's quarter-final draw.

"Fair play to Blackburn," said Potters vice-captain Whelan, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season. "They thoroughly deserved to win.

Stoke's next game is against Aston Villa, who did make it through to the Cup quarter-finals and are now under new management following Saturday's appointment of Tim Sherwood.