Spartans rally from goal down to hold champions Blazers

Kenya Hockey Union Women's Premier League holders Blazers have wasted an opportunity to pull clear on the standings after playing USIU-A Spartans to a one-all draw at City Park Stadium.

The record Kenyan champions were billed as prematch favourites who would have an easy time in serving the students hockey lessons but seemingly struggled to execute their style of play and create clear chances.

The match sprung into life in the third quarter when the experienced Terry Juma gave Blazers the lead from the spot after an infringement in the area. The long serving centre back blasted the ball past Fiona Makena in the 41st minute to score her first goal of the season.

Prior to the goal, Blazers had been forced to a unwanted substitution where Samantha Namarome paved way for the first choice goalkeeper Cynthia Onyango who made crucial saves in the final minutes of the game to deny Spartans from picking maximum points.

Veronica Maua deflected a long ball whipped into the area to draw Spartans level in the 50th minute. The University side kicked off the season with a 2-0 win over Sliders last weekend. 

Reacting to the point gained, Spartans head coach Willis Okeyo hailed his team for fighting gallantly for the result which he noted was his first draw since his appointment.

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"I do not remember the last time we got a point or a win over Blazers. We fought well but we are still not yet there. Our plan was to remain compact and deny them spaces but we were unable to play to the script up to the last minute. I think we stand to have a great season if we build on what we have bagged today," said the Kenya Police midfielder. 

His Blazers counterpart Josephine Ataro could not hide her disappointment with the number of short corners that went begging. Blazer began the season resoundingly as they whitewashed Sliders 3-0.

"We didn't make the corners which we are normally strong in count.Just because we have dropped two points it doesn't mean the season is doomed. We are going for the title," said the former Kenyan international.

Earlier on at the same venue, JKUAT beat Parklands 1-0 in a Super League match. The students reaped maximum points courtesy of Collins Odongo's 22nd minute field goal.