Lakers end Blazers jinx with 1-0 victory

Lakers Hockey Club beat Blazers 1-0 in a Kenya Hockey Union Women’s Premier League match played at Kisumu's Simba Club on Saturday.

Maureen Achieng' scored early in the first quarter to secure the win and break a five-match winless streak against the record Kenyan champions.

Lakers, who finished third last season have now won two of their three opening fixtures and are looking set to challenge for their maiden title.

The Kisumu-based side opened their season with a tough 1-1 against defending champions Strathmore University Ladies before hammering newbies University of Nairobi Ladies 1-6.

Head coach Austin Tuju hailed his charges for a good game against the experienced Blazers.

"The game was a tough one just as we expected, but we wanted to go for an early lead and that's what we did, managing to score with three minutes of play and that gave us an advantage over them. This is a wonderful thing because we have changed history. We have always been drawing against them for the past five games and the win is proof that we're growing," Tuju said.

The Blazers were in great form heading into the game. The former champions had won three out of three fixtures, including a 1-2 victory over Strathmore University, a 4-0 triumph against Wolverines, and a 1-7 thumping of UON.

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However, against the Lakers the good run came to a screeching halt.

"It was a nice game. It was a balanced affair, but our defense slumbered in the opening few seconds leading to the goal. We got our chances but didn't score. We've lost and we have accepted, in a game there's a winner and a loser," Blazers coach Josphine Ataro said.

Ataro took issue with playing on a marum surface saying it affected their game.

"We're used to training and playing on AstroTurf so playing on bare soil like this one was a challenge. However, we're going to work on our defense and concentration levels," she added.