Gallant Police rally from behind to hold Ulinzi in four goal thriller

John Kago powered a bullet header into Reuben Juma’s net before Mark Bikokwa punished juvenile defending as four-time Kenyan champions Ulinzi Stars grabbed a headstart on newbies Police fc in an entertaining Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) encounter that ended 2-2 on Sunday evening at the Nakuru ASK Grounds.

The Police left it late as John Ndirangu popped up from the bench with two goals that ensured the second derby between these two yielded another draw. While the first, played last week, was barren, the second surely had sumptuous finishing as all the four goals came in the second half.

The fixture lived up to its hot billing with end to end affairs as both teams earnestly searched for the goods. Police hit the woodwork twice in the first half with Ulinzi Stars also fashioning chances of their own which were not converted.

It was until the 52nd minute when Ulinzi Stars earned a corner from one of their many frenetic counter attacks. James Nandwa lined up an in-swinger but the fancied Police players failed to mind Kago who rose highest before planting the ball into the net unchallenged.

A customary parade was quickly mounted by the soldiers in celebration but Police. Boasting of fancied players signed exorbitantly, Police, with their pride dented sought to respond instantly.

They pummeled Ulinzi Stars a barrage of attacks in search of a leveler but it only worked against them as Bikokwa capitalized on thinning Police numbers at the back and scored from another counter attack to double the Soldiers advantage.

It was fast, it was ruthless and it was clinical as Ulinzi Stars executed a swift transition from the mouth of their goal where Duke Abuya see another of Police’s casual effort cleared to putting the ball in the ball into the net on the other end in under one minute.

From then the discipline in Ulinzi Stars became apparent as they masterfully managed the game. Slowing the erstwhile searing pace of the game, hogging possession, taking their sweet time during stops and running down the clock to snuff out any chances of Police mounting a comeback Ulinzi Stars surely played like the home team.

After the flashy Police recruitment and show off Coach Bobby Ogolla will not easily smile out of this one. His charges suffered an early set back as dependable center half Musa Mohammed limped off injured in the opening minutes of the games.

The imbalance proved fatal in the second half as lackluster defending proved the difference.