Gor Mahia have began their bid to reclaim the Football Kenya Federation Premier League title on the right footing after depositing three points into their account in round one after narrowly edging KCB 2-1 at the Thika Stadium.Benson Omalla struck a brace inside the opening fifteen minutes of the first half to settle the contest that saw a number of new players from either clubs give their new players their debuts.Prior to kickoff, Mark Harrison handed the duo of Dennis Ng’ang’a and Peter Lwassa their debut in the green robes while Boniface Omondi was thrown into the starting team after returning to the club from Wazito.On the other hand, Zico handed James Mazembe his KCB debut while Robinson Kamura and Mohamed Kilume who joined the club from AFC Leopards and Sofapaka were named on the bench.The result left Harrison satisfied although he rued the chances that went begging and the decision by centre referee Brook Philiphs to make calls in favour of the bankers.” I am glad to start the season with a win in such a tough fixture. We would have scored at least four goals but it is okay for them to be wasteful as they are yet to adapt to the football I want them to play,” said the Briton.KCB goalkeepers’ trainer regretted that they began the match poorly and were caught napping in the opening minutes.”Gor punished us early in the match and defended well. We have learnt our mistakes and will endeavour to rectify before our next match. A defeat on day one does not mean that we will have a bad season,” he said.The decision to by the Gor technical bench to trust Omalla in leading the forward line paid off as the youngster opened his league goal account with the club as he slotted in the opening goal in the eighth minute, tapping the ball from.close range after Samuel Onyango’s shot richoted off the woodwork.The national U23 forward did not stop there as he rose high to head in Lwassa’s corner three minutes later to complete his brace, a goal that thwarted the bankers scheme of levelling matters.The change of tact by Gor shortly after going up by two goals where they slumped into their own half proved costly as KCB threw everything in their area in a bid to squeeze the ball past Gad Mathews. Their quest came to fruition in the 28th minute when Derrick Otanga dispossessed Harun Shakava before setting Henry Onyango who plundered home to haf the deficit.Gor technical bench could not hide their frustrations with centre referee Brook Philiphs with four minutes to the first half after Nashon Alembi scythed Omalla down a challenge that would have ordinarily procured the defender his marching orders but the whistler turned a blind eye on the challenge.The fast rising official was also on the spot after falling to award Gor q spot kick in the dying seconds of the half after Baraka Badi brought Onyango down. The decision saw the Gor security men confront the fourth official, Hosea Omondi after the two teams headed for the breather.Harrison made his first change a minute into the second half introducing Sando Yangayay for Omalla who hurt his knee from the strong challenge from Alembi.The towering Congolese forward would be booked in the 53rd minute after planting his elbow on Badi while contesting for an aerial duel.With the Gor growing in confidence and making inroads in the KCB area, Zico turned to his bench in the 60th minute bringing in Simon Manala, David Simiyu and Samuel Mwangi for Otanga, Brian Ochieng and Michael Oduor.Zico would exhaust his options in the 71st minute after resting the duo of Mazembe and Onyango for Reagan Otieno and Kilume respectively.Harrison also turned t his bench as he brought in Sydney Ochieng for Lwassa in the 81st minute and would seal the loopholes in the defence by bringing in Frank Odhiambo for Alpha Onyango in the 91st minute.
