Sofapaka FC beat Nzoia Sugar 1-0 at Ruaraka Grounds to end their five-game win-less streak and extend their point tally to 33 in the fast fading FKF Premier League on Wednesday afternoon.Lawrence Juma scored the all important goal, but the referee missed it and instead awarded Roy Okal who had headed home from the rebounding ball.Sofapaka had the chance to take an early lead in the third minute when Joseph Waithira was fouled just outside the box. Juma stepped up to take the resultant freekick but was denied by the woodwork.Both sides settled well in the game going into the 20th minute, each team creating their own chances but failing to convert and take the advantage.Alex Imbusia was terrific for Sofapaka in both speed and skills, and so was Gaetan Masha for Nzoia and they both disturbed the opposition defenders.Juma was a constant threat for Nzoia all through the first half but failed to find the net despite being on the end of several attacking runs for Sofapaka.Leonard Kasembeli made some great runs behind Sofapaka’s defence, earning a glorious chance in one instance but he failed to beat Kevin Omondi in goal.Felicien Okanda found the back of the net in the 34th minute but his goal was struck off as Masha was ruled to have been offside.The deadlocked midfielder would miss a chance to give Nzoia the lead as the first half neared the end but Omondj stood firm in goal to see the teams go for the break level.On resumption, Ken Odhiambo made the first change for Sofapaka bringing in Ambrose Sifuna fresh from suspension for Brian Nyakan.Sofapaka seemed to have taken their half time pep-talk more seriously as they stringed a series of attacks that paid off just three minutes after resumption.Juma stepped to take another freekick about 25 yards out and made no mistake, beating Humphrey Katasi, hitting the woodwork and bouncing the ball past the goal line. The ball however bounced back to play but Roy Okal reacted quickly to head it home, and the referee gifted Juma’s goal to Okal.Kevin Juma was the first man to go into the books of the referee after a reckless tackle on Sifuna. The Nzoia midfielder would be given his marching orders 24 minutes later after another reckless tackle, this time on Waithera.Shikanda made his first change with 21 minutes left, resting Leonard Kasembeli and throwing in Joseph Mwangi as they chased both the game and the ball.Seeking to lock the game, Odhiambo introduced the defensive Brian Magonya for the industrious Waithera.The result leaves Sofapaka and Nzoia 13th and 14th, with 33 and 26 points respectively.
