Warriors attack leave Strathmore students dazed

Kenya Hockey Union (KHU) men Premier League reigning champions Butali Sugar Warriors moved top of the league standings for the first time this season after humbling Strathmore University Gladiators 7-0 in a match played Sunday at City Park.

The win for the champions lifted their point tally to nine points from three matches and although they are co-joined with Wazalendo, Western Jaguars and Greensharks they enjoy a superior goal difference.

George Mutira opened the floodgates in the ninth minute via a simple tap-in following a good work from veteran midfielder Zack Aura.

Although Gladiators fought back, they didn’t cope with the pace of Butali while Alpha Wambutsi shot went wide, a   meaningful chance for the students to cancel the scores.

With the champions dominating possession and dictating the pace of the game, Gladiators were left chasing shadows as they retreated to soak pressure hoping to hit on the break.

Butali had to wait till the 26th minute when Francis Kariuki doubled the lead after a clever chip beating Strathmore’s keeper Boniface Ouma before Moses Ademba grabbed the third at the stroke of half time.

It was a similar script after the break as Butali resumed from where they had left; Titus Kariuki scoring the fourth inside the first minute of second half.

Despite leading with a big margin,  Warriors attacked with venom claiming the fifth goal in the 44th minute through Constance Wakhura before new signing Calvin’s ‘Kanu’ Omondi grabbed the sixth goal for Warriors after a lapse in concentration in Strathmoor’s defence with just 10 minutes to g.

Even when it seemed it was match was over, Warriors added a late one, Mutira grabbing his second goal of the match late in the injury time to round off Warrior’s win.

In a post-match interview, Butali head coach Dennis Owoka praised his charges for yet another huge victory as they seek to retain the title.

“I am happy because we stuck to our game plan.  We are keen to remain top till the end of the season,” noted Owoka.

On his part, Strathmore head coach Meshack Senge bemoaned lack of confidence in his young side who are yet to register a win in four games they have played thus far.

“Our major weakness is lack of confidence but we are slowly building that. Although the result is not good we are keen to improve going forward,” said Senge.

The next assignment for Butali is a game against another varsity side in United States International University-Africa (USIU-A) this coming weekend.

On the other hand, the struggling Strathmore are scheduled to take on the in-form Greensharks on June 16.