A first half goal from Masita Masuta was all that Ulinzi Stars needed to end their wretched run after edging Bidco United 1-0 in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) clash staged at the Thika Sub County Stadium on Saturday.Coming into the game, the Soldiers were reeling after a run of seven games without a win which left them hovering perilously close to the relegation zone with teams below them, Wazito and Vihiga Bullets starting to collect points.Bidco on the other hand needed a lift in spirits after their chastening defeat at the hands of Bandari in a game that was marred by officiating drama.Ulinzi had a bright start to the game and after coming close on a number of occasions they finally broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute through Masita Masuta who brilliantly controlled Dan Waweru’s through ball as he rounded the keeper to tap the ball into the empty net to mark just their second goal in the last six games.Bidco struggled under Ulinzi’s power play as they were out muscled from the ball easily and relied on crosses and set pieces to try and break down the Soldiers defense with David Kalama’s cross in the 26th minute was nodded over by Zachary Gathu.Anthony Akhulia’s charges almost restored parity six minutes after the half hour mark when Emmanuel Mogaka’s freekick almost caught James Saruni off guard as he recovered well to tip the ball over the cross bar as Ulinzi went into the half time break leading 1-0.Ulinzi had a mirror start to the second half as Clinton Omondi ran on the byline and tried to catch the keeper off guard with his near post finish but Edwin Mukholwe recovered well to palm the ball out to safety.Ulinzi were wasting a number of clear cut chances as they squandered another effort in the 71st minute when Stephen Etyang whipped in a freekick that found Bernard Ongoma in acres of space but he planted his free header to the ground and the ball bounced over the crossbar for a goal kick.The Soldiers task of registering their first win in seven games was made more challenging as Harun Mwale was sent off in the 80th minute for time wasting as he took time to restart from a throw in.Ulinzi withered a late storm from Bidco as the Thika-based side tool turns to shoot at Saruni buy the Soldiers stood tall at everything that was thrown at them to claim the win.Bidco United XI: Edwin Omwabani, David Kalama, Geoffrey Gitau, Francis Oduor, Gabriel Wandera, Jacob Onyango, Nelson Chieta (Stephen Obukui 71′), Zacharia Gathu (Batts Awita 74′), Stephen Waruru (David Orem 74′), Emmanuel Mogaka (Collins Odhiambo 56′), David Gateri.Unused subs: Ezekiel Owade, Lambert Otieno Kassim Mwinyi, Stephen Okiro, Alex Juma, Batts Awita.Ulinzi Stars XI: James Saruni, Brian Birgen, Harun Mwale, Bonaventure Muchika, Peter Wafula, Bernard Ongoma, Clinton Omondi (Enosh Ochieng 61′), John Kago, Masita Masuta, Daniel Waweru (Kelvin Thairu 57′), Stephen Etyang.Unused subs: Stephen Ochieng, Ezekiel Mugo, Byron Ondiaga, Boniface Onyango, Katama Mukangi, Mark Bikokwa, Julius Okutu.
