Gladiators pip Parkroad to reach top five ranking
Strathmore Gladiators collected a total of four points last week to climb two places on the 10-team men’s premier league standings to now sit fifth thanks to a 0-0 stalemate with USIU-A in a varsity derby on Mashujaa day and a consequent 1-0 win over Parkroad on Sunday. Meshack Senge coached outfit is tied on 17 points with fourth-placed USIU-A. Both varsity sides trail second-placed Western Jaguars and third-placed Kenya Police by 7 points as the two title hopefuls are also tied on 24 points, nine points behind the defending champions and log commanding Butali Warriors.
To collect the three points from Parkroad, Strathmore’s attacking game got their opponent scrambling to defend their goal line and in the process, Gladiators got awarded a penalty in the third quarter.
A successful goal by Brian Ogenche turned out to be the ultimate decider between the two long rivals, Parkroad has always been a tough-to-beat opponent for Strathmore’s coach Meshack Senge. In the other two men’s premier league fixtures honoured, Butali Warriors had condemned Parkroad 5-0 on Saturday to expose their defence flaws that were exploited by Strathmore on Sunday.
Former champions Kenya Police got two whips by hosting Western Jaguars to surrender second place to the roaring Jaguars who have been impressive this season.
As a result of the two losses in a weekend, Parkroad is now in a bad position as the side is now trapped with Mombasa Sports Club on the relegation cut after 13 rounds of premier league action.
