Peter Lwasa was the difference between the two sides as his brace earned K’Ogalo maximum points against Talanta FC during this season’s last FKF Premier League played at Moi International Sports Center – Kasarany on Wednesday evening.
The match ended 2-1 with already relegated Talanta FC getting a consolation goal in the dying minutes of the game, courtesy of Rodgers Angal.
K’Ogalo took control of proceedings from the onset and would have taken the lead in the sixth minute through Benson Omalla but the former national U20 forward headed wide with the goalkeeper to beat after George Odhiambo picked him with a well-weighted cross.
Two minutes later, Lwasa turned his markers inside out in the box but casually drove off the target much to the chagrin of his teammates who were waiting for a cut back from the Ugandan.
Missiles kept on being launched to the Talanta area with Isaiah Wakasala pulling a decent save to deny Samuel Onyango who tried to beat him from long range in the 12th minute.
Talanta had the first sniff at goal in the 15th minute when Castro Ogendo let out a ferocious shot outside the area but Dolph Owino palmed the ball away for a corner.
Gor’s last man, Sydney Ochieng, escaped a red card by a whisker after he deliberately used his arm to block what would have been a splitting pass few yards from the area.
The natural attacking midfielder who had started at the heart of the defense was cautioned by center referee Brook Philiphs for the offence to the disappointment of Talanta players who were petitioning for his sending off.
Kahiro thought he had given Talanta the lead in the 28th minute when he lobbed the ball past the advancing Owino but the offside flag worked against him and to the advantage of Gor.
Talanta rang the first change in the 40th minute albeit an unwanted one as Vincent Owino limped off after colliding with Ernest Wendo earlier on in the game. Rodgers Angal took up his place.
A lapse in concentration by the Talanta defense saw Gor take the lead in the 42nd minute through Lwasa who comfortably tapped the ball in from close range.
Two more substitutes were thrown in before the second half got underway where Alvin Ochieng and Brian Yakhama came in for Peter Njammah and Gershon Likono respectively.
Yakhama nearly drew Talanta level with his first shot but was blocked by the clustered legs in the Gor box for a corner.
The fresh legs appeared to give Talanta the much-needed energy to level matters but their quest suffered a blow when Lwasa capitalized on clearance by his custodian, Owino to double the advantage for Gor in the 63rd minute.
Against the run of play, Lwasa controlled the long ball that pierced its way past the middle and left his marker, Luis Masika for the dead before taking his time to slot the ball into an empty net.
Five minutes after doubling their lead, Gor introduced the trio of Gilbert Otieno, John Macharia, and Boniface Omondi for Ochieng, Lwasa, and Paul Ochuoga respectively.
Talanta who lost the first leg staged at the same venue pressed hard in the dying minutes of the games in a bid to get at least a consolation goal and Rodgers Angal had the answer as his freekick in the 87th minute halved the deficit for the hosts.
Gor who were under pressure from the debutants defended resolutely in the remaining minutes of the game to take home the three points.