Edwin Lavatsa came off the bench to seal maximum points for Talanta as they beat Kenya Police 2-1 in a hotly-contested FKFPL duel played at the Ruaraka Grounds on Saturday afternoon. Police struck first through Clinton Kinanga in the first half, with Dennis Oalo and Edwin Lavatsa scoring for Talanta. The Police technical bench hotly contested the second goal and the referee had to be escorted off the pitch after the match. Following his goal to salvage a point in the reverse fixture last weekend, Brian Yakhama was handed a starting berth with Francis Kahiro also coming back after serving his suspension.Police took an early lead after just 12 minutes through Clinton Kinanga who was set up by Elvis Rupia in a swift counterattack move that the former had initiated. Dennis Oalo could have drawn the hosts level 24 minutes in but it took the intervention of Bonface Munyasa to tip the ball away and protect the lead for Police. Munyasa almost gave away the lead in the 33rd minute when the ball slipped over his fingers but the attempt from Yakhama was feeble, to his relief.Chasing the game, Talanta took the game to Police and had more chances in the first half but it was the latter who led at the break, with Kinanga even threatening to double the advantage with minutes to spare in the first half. Resolute Tusker get revenge against Gor Mahia in NarokOn resumption, Kenyatta made two changes as Alvin Ochieng and Edwin Lavatsa came on for Njammah and Kevintom Machika.Six minutes into the second half, Lesley Otieno could have made it two for Police after a failed clearance by Talanta but he was denied by the upright.Pamzo made his first change, bringing in Clifton Miheso and resting Kinanga after 53 minutes.Police were dealt an injury scare just over the hour mark when David Owino came tumbling down head first but stepped back into the field after treatment by the team doctor.Instead, it was Erick Juma who came out injured after 72 minutes and his place taken by Cornelius Juma, with David Simiyu also coming on for David Oluoch.Talanta were the better team and their efforts paid off in the 74th minute when one of the shortest players on the pitch Dennis Oalo headed home from a Rodgers Obworia corner to level the scores. Deservedly!For the second game running, against the same opponent, Obworia came off the bench to set up Talanta’s leveler from a corner in both instances. Soita Silicho could have reclaimed the lead for Police right at the death but he was denied by the same upright that had denied Lesley Otieno earlier in the first half.In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Edwin Lavatsa struck home from close range to give Talanta the win.FC Talanta Starting XI: Kevin Otieno, Peter Njammah (Alvin Ochieng) 45′,Thomas Wainaina, Nichodemus Malika, Shela Mandela, Castro Ogendo (Georson Likono) 56′, Kevintom Machika (Edwin Lavatsa) 45′, Vincent Owino, Brian Yakhama (Rodgers Angal) 56′, Francis Kahiro, Dennis OaloUnused Subs: James Ashisoma, Eugene Wanjala, Luis MasikaKenya Police FC Starting XI: Bonface Munyasa, Erick Juma (Cornelius Juma) 72′, David Owino, Musa Mohammed, Soita Silicho, Charles Ouma, Lesley Otieno, David Oluoch (David Simiyu) 72′, Duke Abuya, Elvis Rupia, Clinton Kinanga (Clifton Miheso) 53’Unused subs: Job Ochieng’, Harun Shakava, Alex DungaIn other matches played today, Vihiga Bullets edged Mathare United 2-0 while Bidco United United Posta Rangers by a solitary goal at the Thika Sub County Stadium. FT: Vihiga Bullets 2-0 Mathare United #BulletsVsMathare pic.twitter.com/6QPtzfKYca— Mathare United FC (@MathareUtd) April 16, 2022
