Strathmore Scorpions edge Lakers to stretch unbeaten run to nine games
Hockey
By
Washington Onyango
| Oct 30, 2022
Strathmore University Scorpions stretched their unbeaten run in the 2022 Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) women's Premier League to nine matches after narrowly seeing off Lakers Hockey Club 1-0 at City Park Stadium on Saturday.
Kenyan international Gilly Okumu scored the only goal of the match in the 59th minute as the university students stretched their unbeaten run to nine matches.
The win not only saw Strathmore complete a double over the visiting Kisumu side but also saw them move ten points clear second-placed Blazers who will not be in action this weekend.
The Kisumu outfit last lost to the university side 1-0 last month at home and despite winning their last three matches could not find the goal in Nairobi.
Scorpions who are yet to lose a single match in the 2022 season remain on course to dethrone Blazers as they now have 25 points followed by Blazers (15) and Lakers (14).
Lakers will have a chance to redeem themselves today when they play fourth placed USIU Spartans at the same grounds from 9am.
The fourth-placed Spartans who enjoy a two-game-in-hand advantage heading into this weekend's fixtures can move joint second at the standings and Mbugua believes the journey to the top two begins with a win against the visiting Kisumu side tomorrow.
Speaking to Standard Sports, Mbugua believes they have been inconsistent due to their long duration out but they are slowly finding their chemistry and rhythm.
The university students have played four matches in the span of six months with their last three games happening in the past two weeks.
"Staying long without active and regular matches affects the team's chemistry and we have had to deal with that problem the past few weeks. To be fair, I believe we have played pretty well despite our last defeat against Strathmore whom everyone understands have been good this season," said the versatile utility midfielder.
On facing an inform Lakers side, Mbugua believes beginning from the front foot and defending well will propel them to victory having used the same tactics in their narrow win over the Austin Tuju-led side in Kisumu in April.
"We were patient and took our chances during the first leg victory in Kisumu and I trust that if we play better than we did six months ago we can complete a double over them. We know they are in a good form especially away from home but we can beat them if we play our cards right," concluded Mbugua.