10-man Thika frustrate Ulinzi Stars

10-man Thika United snatched a vital point against Ulinzi Stars as the two sides battled to a barren draw at Afraha Stadium, Nakuru on Sunday in the Kenyan Premier League.

The soldiers will only have themselves to blame after they squandered a dozen scoring chances.

Thika were reduced to 10 men when referee Raymond Onyango gave Collins Okumu his marching orders in the 88th minute for a second bookable offence.

Thika United goalkeeper Allan Owiny was the toast of the day for his side as he made several daring saves as the soldiers raided his defence.

After half an hour, Ulinzi striker George Omondi penetrated through the Thika defence and chipped the ball over goalkeeper Owiny, but in a spectacular reflex action, Owiny stopped the goal bound shot.

Masuta Masita who is the top marksman for the soldiers was the main culprit as he started squandering the chances in the 33rd minute when his scissor shot went over the cross bar.

Youngster Michael Otieno, who is a newcomer in the Ulinzi line up, should have given the soldiers their opening goal in the 40th minute, but his well taken shot was well stopped by Owiny.

Moments later, Masuta, who was having a bad day in the office, fired another plunk on the stroke of half time when scoring seemed to be the easiest thing to do inside the box.

Six minutes into the second half, Daniel Waweru's rising shot hit the upright as the soldiers continued to raid their opponents rear guard.

Thika United first target at the goal came in the 55th minute, when James Kinyanjui shot was parried for a fruitless corner by goalkeeper James Saruni.

Thika United coach Nicholas Muyoti introduced Dennis Lewa, Peter Okoth and Benson Iregi for Hansel Ochieng’, Edmond Adem and Mata Masakidi, while Unlizi made one change with Cliff Kasuti coming in for Michael Otieno.

In the 69th minute, Masuta rolled with the ball and outpaced his markers, but his well taken volley was blocked by Owiny.

Thika’s Dennis Odhiambo's rasping free kick from outside the box hit the cross bar in the 85th minute.

“It was a difficult game but I thank my boys for snatching at least a point from the soldiers. It is not easy to play rugged soldiers at home,” said coach Muyoti, whose side take on Gor Mahia in their next match at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos next weekend.

Ulinzi coach Danston Nyaudo blamed the match referee for denying them two penalties and his strikers for not utilising the dozen scoring chances that came their way.

“The officiating was suspect as it is the same referee who denied us a penalty against AFC Leopards. However, my boys were equally to blame as they were unable to convert easy scoring chances,” said Nyaudo.