Hockey: Lakers thrash Sliders to move third

Lakers celebrate their win against Sliders during KHU Premier league at City Park Hockey stadium. October 1, 2022. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Lakers Hockey Club picked their second win of the season after thrashing Sliders 4-0 in a crucial Kenya Hockey Union Premier League match staged at City Park in Naiorbi on Saturday.

The Kisumu based team headed into the match behind a disappointing form where they lost two home matches in a row (against Strathmore and USIU-A) and need to bounce back.

Debra Achieng and Maureen Owiti each scored a brace as Lakers moved third on the log with seven points same as USIU-A who have an inferior goal difference.

Speaking after the match, Lakers Team Manager JP Otieno said they are ready to face champions Blazers.

Defending champions Blazers who will be in action against the Kisumu's outfit on Sunday morning from 9am

"It was disappointing not to win against Strathmore last week but we have reacted very well. We missed open chances last Sunday which we converted against Sliders and now all we have to do is play slightly better than we did against Blazers," said Otieno.

'We know it is not going to be easy but we came to Naiorbi to play and not dish out free points. If everything goes to plan, I believe we can beat them."

In the early kick off match, Strathmore University Scorpions moved five points clear at the top of the table after edging out bottom placed Amira Sailors 3-0 in a top and the bottom clash.

National team captain Gilly Okumu, Angela Bahati and Nichole Odhiambo all scored as the university side maintain their unbeaten run in the 2022 season.

The win saw Meshack Senge's charges register their sixth straight win of the season and five-points clear with 18 points.

The Scorpions who are yet to concede a goal this season are closely followed by defending champions Blazers who will be in action against Kisumu's outfit Lakers today from 9am.

On Sunday, bottom placed Amira Sailors will play Wolverines seeking to redeem themselves after the Scorpions sting before Butali Warriors face Jaguars and Kenya Police face Sailors.