Leaders Gor Mahia edge Mathare to widen nine points gap in the Kenyan Premier League

Mathare United’s Francis Ouma (left) tackled by Gor’s Donald Mosoti during their Kenyan Premier League match at Nyayo Stadium, on Wednesday.[PHOTO BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

By GILBERT WANDERA

Gor Mahia marched closer to the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) after stopping Mathare United 2-1 at Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday.

The win pushes Gor nine points clear at the top of the standings and need another nine points to ensure they lift a title they last won in 1995.

Edwin Lavatsa and Dan Sserunkuma scored a goal each for the winners while Ken Wendo saved the blushes for United.

It is Gor who showed early intention to get ahead with Paul Kiongera’s effort in the second minute flying above the Mathare United goal post.

It was the only early attempt by Gor as their opponents seemed to dominate much of the opening proceedings of the match.

United preferred to use the right flank where veteran striker Francis Ouma was giving Donald Mosoti plenty of trouble.

In the sixth minute, Ouma had left Mosoti stranded but the latter pushed out the ball earning United the first corner kick of the match.

Action continued in the Gor Mahia goal with United earning another corner barely two minutes later.

Earned a reprieve

Gor earned a reprieve in the 18th minute when a through ball found Dan Sserunkuma unmarked but his effort was stopped by Peter Odhiambo in goal. The United goalkeeper picked an injury in his effort to deny Sserunkuma and took a few minutes to be treated.

Gor were clearly on the driving seat as the half hour mark approached and Paul Kiongera was denied by a finger tip save in the 27th minute which earned his side the first corner.

A lot of support

Defender Musa Mohammed was giving the front men a lot of support and his effort on the half-hour mark went just wide.

It was United, however, who finished the first half on the offensive winning an injury time corner kick that was fruitless.

Gor started the second half as strongly as they had ended the first half winning a corner after just two minutes.

Then Kevin Omondi was denied by Peter Odhiambo in the Mathare United goal as the winners kept on pressing for the opening goal.

It came in the 53rd minute when Sserunkuma scored with a low shot. Sserunkuma was then cautioned for a rough tackle on Daniel Mwaura.

Unrelenting, Gor continued with their quest for a second goal as United fought to get something.

Mwaura was rested for Athman Matano, while Gor took out Paul Kiongera for  Lavatsa.

Lavatsa took just five minutes to make his presence felt on the pitch scoring in the 85th minute after Peter Odhiambo had punched into play Sserunkuma’s effort.

A defensive lapse allowed Ken Wendo to pull one back for United in the 89th minute but it was not enough to help his side.

After the win Gor Mahia go nine points clear on the all-important points log.

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