Lakers premier league debut ends in a stalemate as Sliders go fourth

Lakers Hockey Club assistant captain Ashley Akinyi (left) tussles for the ball against Sliders’ Esther Champchui during their Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Women Premier League match played at Sikh Union Club in Kisumu on April 6, 2019. [Courtesy]

Newbies Lakers hockey club debut in the 2019 Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) Women Premier League ended in a 1-1 draw against visiting Sliders at Sikh Union Club in Kisumu on Saturday.

Aurelia Opondo third quarter equaliser canceled Sliders’ Esther Champchui opener to prevent a humiliating defeat in their first match of the season in front of their home fans to share the spoils.

The draw pushed Nairobi based Sliders to fourth in the standings with two points from three games as Lakers tie in fifth place together with Kenyatta University Women who play on Sunday against Sailors.

Team coach Brian Aduda rued missed chances in their draw in the game that they outclassed the experienced premier league opponents.

“We played well from the start to the end of the match but wasted over ten scoring chances. I am disappointed with the draw and we have to work on our finishing from today,” Aduda said.

“However, I think also being our first match and first time playing in the premier league the ladies were a little bit anxious and excited but we will come back stronger in our next games in Nairobi next weekend.”

The lakeside team’s first taste of the Premier League stole most of the attention with the eyes on the youthful team they did not disappoint as they dominated the match against the experienced Sliders team from the start.

Maurine Owiti combined with Aurelia Opondo from the left but the latter’s first attempt in goal was stopped by Sliders keeper Katherine Opich after two minutes into the play.

Opich was again called into action a minute later stopping two short corner attempts from Rachel Laura and Alice Owiti.

Owiti then missed Lakers golden chance to take the lead missing a tap in after the skillful Laura beat the Sliders defense and keeper as the first quarter ended in a barren draw with the visitors not managing a single shot on target.

In the second quarter, the visitors who appeared calm and composed in their defense break the deadlock two minutes after the restart when Esther Champchui tapped the ball into an empty net after Millicent Adhiambo failed to clear Doris Kirui’s right-wing cross.

The goal reignited some life into the visitors play and their first short corner almost doubled the scores after their captain Esther Wachika was found culpable of committing a foul at the stroke of halftime.

The debutant home side then came into the third quarter livelier and scored thorough Aurelia Opondo after Opich punched the ball straight to the way of the striker.

Laker could have easily won by three to four margin but the experienced defense of Linnet Anyango’s side stood tall.

“We played very well today but luck was not on our side. We did not utilize our chances and their first goal almost killed us. However, we responded well after the break and am confident being our first match we will come back stronger in Nairobi against KU, “ Lakers assistant captain Ashely Akinyi said in a post-match interview.