Aar For the second week, the team experienced a high turnout of players an encouraging sign of the commitment of the team. Cooks and Brian Yego after several dilly darlings, seven intense weeks of fitness and recovery finally made their debut, and no wonder it rained. Those shirts which had not been washed since last year when they were unwrapped from the ball had to be blessed by the sky. But how else would we have known that a legendary figure, a Parkland die hard, who has stood by us during the changes in the team was finally making his long-awaited debut. Even the sky opened up and it began to rain when Cooks took his customary two touches, receive a ball from Johnny taking the first touch to control, angle his body, and the second touch to release Bill running into space. A subtle, expected, and simple move that makes football look easy. The gods must have been watching as their tears of joy began descending on an enjoyable half. It was no coincidence that it stopped raining when the bespectacled magician stepped off the pitch after a slight knock but his 59 minutes’ worth of honest work was well appreciated by all present. With the expected downpour, Buffon was a no-show, maybe he feared the clean sheet chasing Babu was promised a new set of gloves but rumor has it that his fear of water had gotten the better of him. A self-proclaimed Sodium, the drops of rain would have dissolved the man a venture he would not dare. The coach had a very experienced backline averaging 45 years, with the back boasting more football experience than the Euro-winning Italy backline. Lenny without the weight of the armband was happy in the company of Steve whose glaring red tapes spelled trouble for the opposition. The hand-crafted red k-tapes were a clear signal of doom for the opponents. Collinso a former hard-tackling right back, before the rise of Waire returned to his favorite position another indication of Versatility providing competition to Gitau, Bassanga, and Ogochee who can play infinite positions in the pitch. Droopy got his reward for his continued good performances with a starting position at left-back. A challenge echoed the whole week for the defense was simple, build from behind and maintain a clean sheet. The defense cleaned up smoothly even with the tricky raining conditions. The midfield had in form Johny, Bill, and Mwai partnering in a triangle. The midfield was quite successful in subduing Oddo a once successful midfielder in Bandari with Johnny doing most of the running and switching play with the wings, Mwai successfully winning his aerial duels, and managing a few tackles. His interplay with the defense was also good allowing for play to build from the back, while he was successful to marshal the back. Bill was more mobile supporting Dubiz at the front, going deep to receive the ball and also running into spaces behind the defenders between the wings. It was no surprise that the first goal came from Johnny being released in the left-wing and with one man to beat, performed an elastic that left him sliding in the muddy pitch, a well-calculated cut back from Johnny and Bill with a thundering shot had the ball at the back of the net. Ericko and Cooks kept it simple on the wings and hardly put on a wrong foot as Dubiz went close twice providing a significantly improved performance, with the only goal lacking to solidify his good performance. A radicle change saw Gitau and Bassanga step in at center-back a second-week Bassanga forfeiting his preferred no. 6 role to the rejuvenated Mathangani. Waire and Mitch cover the wings as the defense looked to build on the good work of the first-half team. Lutta stepped in to partner Mathangani in a two-man midfield while PSC left footers Rasco and Tiger covered the wings. Rasco looking to build on his impressive assist tally and Tiger with a bevy of beauties who would leave their voices at Twiga as part of the ongoing renovations. A two-man striking force of sharpshooter Sisco and returning super striker Yego looked to combine in front of goal. Tiger was proving a nuisance and difficult to deal with in the wings, making clever runs and bringing dangerous crosses to the striker. It did not take long before his grounded pass found the run of Yego who made no mistakes and slotted past the on-rushing keeper. A slow pass to the net had the whole team holding their breath in anticipation. As the attacks continued, the midfield composed and the back never looking to be beaten the first-half team, moved to Twiga to catch a 3-D overlook experience of the masterpiece at play. And they were not disappointed, Lutta received the ball from Tiger, controlled it, and sent a through ball to Sisco who on hearing his striker partner did a dummy that allowed Yego to control them with his inner right, hold off the opposing center back and unleash a thunderous out foot shot from outside the eighteen-yard box. The goalkeeper had no option but to assist the ball deeper into the net. 3-0 to PSC. Rasco continued his runs down the wing setting up Sisco for another goal and claiming and assist in the process. Tiger gave way to Brain Yego, as Yego gave way for Izzo in the midfield. The thrashing continued as a poor clearance by AAR fell to Mitch who cushioned the ball with a header to Sisco. Sisco controlled the ball shielded two opponents and in an unexpected move launched a back heel missile that eluded the keeper and found its way to the back of the net. Sisco then turned provider to Karani releasing him on the wing, with Karani beautifully curling to the back of the post making it 6-0. What Yego can do, Brian Yego can copy-paste, receiving a pass from Izzo after some quick passing play, Brian Yego controlled to beat the offside trap and set himself one on one with the keeper, he selected his spot and placed at the bottom corner to make seven. To close the score the usual suspects Rasco on the wing bet his opponent with pace, and curved one in for Sisco to complete his hat-trick. The defense answering to previous criticism remained solid and free of mistakes providing for the first clean sheet across the season, and not the last. The great score is a sign of great progress in the team that has seen an increase in competition output. A great game for the team members as we gear up for the return leg for Kabarack who beat us away 2-0. The coaching team hopes for a similar turnout to ease game planning and increase the competition within the team. We continue to look forward to great displays.
