Kinyanjui's second half strike hands Mathare second win of the season

A second half goal by James Kinyanjui inspired Mathare United to a hard fought 1-0 win over Nzoia Sugar in a FKFPL match played at the Kasarani Annex on Monday afternoon.

The goal was all the the 2008 league champions needed to register their second win of the season and consequently handed them a temporary relief in the relegation battle. Following the win, The 'Slum Boys' sit third from bottom with eight points.

Mathare nearly broke the deadlock barely three minutes into the game after Chrispinus Oduor put Klinsman Omulanga through but Daniel Musamali fouled the Liberty Academy graduate few yards from the box for a freekick which however Tyson Otieno skied inches off the bar. 

Nzoia responded to the early missile directed to their goal through Felicien Okanda whose long range effort in the eighth minute stung Job Ochieng's hands for a unsuccessful corner kick. 

The hosts who had a nervy start appeared to grow in confidence as the clock ticked and would gain full control of the proceedings at the stroke of half an hour, shortly after the heavens opened.

Mathare's defence worked overtime to contain the trio of Okanda, Congolese import Gaetan Masha and Philip Muchuma who caused all sorts of problems but were unlucky to sneak the ball past the vigilant Job Ochieng in the first half. 

A minute after restart, Muchuma nearly found the back of the net from Dan Musamali's pinpoint pass but Mathare had Ochieng to thank again for denying the burly striker who was rested two minutes later for Ian Simiyu. 

Three minutes, later a fully stretching Lennox Ogutu came to the rescue of Mathare to block a goal bound Masha who had been picked by Kevin Juma's long pass. Juma would be booked moments later for a late tackle on Omulanga. 

Nzoia's resilient push for the opener suffered a blow in the 55th minute after James Kinyanjui headed past a hapless Humphrey Katasi to give Mathare the lead. The national U23 winger wittingly beat an offside trap mounted by the Nzoia rear to head home Tyson Otieno's looped ball.

In a bid to double the numbers on the scoreboard, Mathare head coach Salim Ali withdrew Omulanga for Danson Kago three minutes after the opener. 

Further, Ali threw in the experienced Cersidy Okeyo for Otieno in a move aimed at 'locking' the midfield which appeared to have found its footing after the goal. The tactician made his final substitution deep into stoppage time, bringing on Dani Lual for Omulanga. 

Western Stima 2-2 Ulinzi Stars

Elsewhere, Western Stima picked their second successive point after frustrating pre-match favorites Ulinzi Stars to a two all draw at the Kericho Green Stadium. 

Oscar Wamalwa and Elvis Nandwa were on target for the soldiers while Baron Oketch and Mbaruku Mohammed replied for the power men.