The much-awaited Queens derby failed to live up to expectations as a Janet Bundi solitary goal made all the difference, handing Vihiga Queens a crucial win against hosts Thika Queens.For two of the best sides in the Women Premier League (WPL), the encounter was expected to produce a thriller with more goals as Vihiga fought to maintain their unbeaten run while Thika, in addition to protecting their home turf had a chance to go second. FULL TIME..@ThikaQueensFC 0:1 @VihigaqueensJanet Moraa ⚽We’ll be back in a few🤓🤓#VihigaQueens#LegacyMakers— Vihiga Queens FC (@Vihigaqueens) March 16, 2022 In the end, the three-time champions had their way, albeit in an underwhelming performance, while Thika drop to fourth place as Ulinzi Starlets and Gaspo Women go second and third. The match looked well on its way to ending in a goalless stalemate when Vihiga won a free kick just outside the box on attack. A quick start by Mercy Wayodi caught Thika’s defense napping as she played a low through pass with Bundi beating the offside trap to give Vihiga their tenth win in eleven matches. Meanwhile, the Joseph Mwanza-coached military side, with a chance to go second on 22 points, wasted no time in seeing off a ten-man Kayole Starlets.FTNakuru City Queens 1-1 Gaspo Women FCTransnzoia Falcons 3-1 Kisumu All StarletsUlinzi Starlets 6-0 Kayole Starlets#ScoreCrunchesKe #kenyanfootball #football #GetIntoFootball⚽⚽— Oosterik (@EOosterik) March 16, 2022 Mercy Mang’uro made her debut with a bang, with a hattrick, opening the scoring for the soldiers in the firat minute against a Kayole Starlets side fighting to leave the red zone. Twelve minutes later she was on target for her second, making it 3-0 in the 18th minute to leave Kayole rattled. Siliya Rasoha scored in the 41 minute to give Ulinzi the huge advantage. Few minutes into the second half, Kayole were crippled further as their shot stopper was given matching orders for a dangerous tackle on a Ulinzi player outside of her areas. The military side missed a few sitters before Rasoha broke the second half deadlock in the 64th minute for a brace and the side’s fifth. Kayole inflicted more misery to themselves with a 70th minute own goal off of a Mang’uro shot that deflected in their own goal for the sixth.”We came for maximum points and I am happy we managed to get that. The goals have also gone a long way in helping us get second place as we were tied with Gaspo on goal difference. We now regroup and come back for the second leg rejuvenate to fight for the title,” offered coach Mwanza. Gaspo Women, meanwhile, were held to a one all draw away to Nakuru Queens, denying them the chance to cement their second place as the first leg concluded.
