Mara Sugar FC extended their unbeaten start to the season by claiming their maiden victory of the campaign after brushing aside debutants Mombasa United 2-1 in an FKF Premier League clash staged at William Ole Ntimama Stadium in Narok on Monday, 19 October.
At the time of writing, the win catapulted the Sugar Millers to second on the log behind table toppers Gor Mahia, while Mombasa United plummeted to second from bottom without a single point against their name.
The Millers bounced back from their opening-day 2-2 draw against fellow newcomers 3K FC, while Mombasa United suffered a second consecutive defeat following their 1-0 loss to Kakamega Homeboyz .
Both sides started brightly, trading attacks in an entertaining opening half-hour. Mara threatened through Alex Imbusia, whose rebound effort was kept out by Mombasa goalkeeper Chigoze Williams after his initial shot was parried.
Mombasa responded through Rodgers Oporia, who set up Peter Abiola on the left, but the latter’s hurried effort sailed over the bar. Oporia later picked out Waziri Shentembo with a well-weighted delivery, only for the forward’s volley to drift narrowly wide. Mara continued to press, with Godrick Vincent forcing Williams into a fingertip save from close range after Ali Sharif’s long throw was flicked into his path by Kepha Ondati.
The hosts came even closer when Vincent’s long ball found Dennis Cheruiyot behind the Mombasa defence. Williams rushed off his line to clear, but Cheruiyot’s follow-up was denied by Abdikadim Abdalla, who made a crucial goal-line clearance. Mombasa also threatened through Peter Abiola, whose volley from the edge of the box forced Joseph Ogenda into a full-stretch save.
However, Mara broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Vincent’s curling corner found Kevin Mavali, who rose above the defence to head home via the underside of the crossbar. Cheruiyot nearly doubled the advantage moments later, but Williams reacted quickly to clear the danger.
Mombasa pushed for an equaliser through Shentembo, whose attempt was intercepted by Prince Ayieko, before Mara struck again just before the break. Vincent initiated the move with a pass to Ondati, who delivered a left-footed cutback into the box. Imbusia met it unmarked and fired a powerful finish into the roof of the net to give the hosts a commanding 2-0 lead at half-time.
Mara resumed on the front foot and nearly extended their advantage 10 minutes after the restart when Imbusia connected with Vincent’s delivery, only for Abiola to clear his downward header. Mombasa sought a route back into the contest, with Oporia missing his opportunity to capitalise on Ahmed Abdullahi’s long ball before Rashid Moyo was denied by Ogenda after Abiola’s delivery caused problems in the Mara defence.
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Mara continued to threaten from set pieces, with Joseph Okwenda heading narrowly over from Vincent’s corner.The visitors’ best opportunity to reduce the deficit came 20 minutes from time when Christian Lubulu unleashed a first-time effort from Dennis Mabeya’s lay-off. Ogenda, however, produced an excellent reaction save, stretching back to tip the goal-bound attempt over for a corner.
Junior Mara squandered another opportunity to add to their tally when a flowing move involving Cyrus Orucho, Cheruiyot and Ondati ended with Victor Ngume failing to connect cleanly inside the box. Laban Otieno fired wide from distance in the closing stages as Mombasa searched for a consolation goal, but Mara held firm to secure all three points.
The victory lifted Mara Sugar to second in the standings on four points, while Mombasa United remained winless after two matches, sitting second fromthe bottom as they continue their search for a maiden league victory in their debut season.