[dropcap]G[/dropcap]or Mahia moved to top of KPL table after a barren draw against Tusker FC in a midweek match played af Kenyatta Stadium – Machakos town.
The Wednesday game had head coach Dylan Kerr field a second string side, benching most of the regulars. First half looked casual with both sides missing clear chanses. Few minutes in the game, Innocent Wafula was free on goal after a wonderful cut back from Lawrence Juma but overrun the ball, allowing Duncan Ochieng’ an easy save.
Gor had the best chance of breaking the deadlock midway through the first half when Eluid Lokuwam displayed a lovely bit of skill to dummy a challenge from Collins Shivachi but his effort was parried over the bar by Duncan Ochieng’. The Brewers’ best chance of the opening half fell to former Sony Sugar forward Amos Asembeka, who intercepted a sloppy pass from Charles Momanyi but he skied the ball after a give and take pass with Timothy Otieno to see the teams go to the break deadlocked.
Kerr seemingly had some harsh words for his players at halftime as his boys came into the second half firing from all cylinders but Guikan was guilty of missing a host of chances with the first coming minutes after resumption as his curling effort missed the target by a wide margin.
Former Western Stima forward Robert Achema sustained a hamstring injury in the first half and couldn’t do much in the second half and Mathew Odongo was sent in to replace him.
On the Gor side, Kevin Omondi came in for Innocent Wafula as Kerr aimed to win the midfield battle and Gor Mahia went for the jugular by bringing on Meddie Kagere for Lokuwam as the surge on for a winner continued.
Sam Timbe sent in Jackson Macharia for Asembeka who had come out worse from a challenge by Mieno and minutes later Guikan produced a contender for miss of the season when with an open goal, he fired his effort onto the cross bar after a brilliant lay off by substitute Kagere who had an immediate impact.
Tusker almost went home with all three points but were denied by a goal line clearance from Charles Momanyi who cleared Macharia’s header.
The physical encounter was taking its toll on players with Cercidy Okeyo coming off for Bernard Ondiek after he landed awkwardly on his ankle.
Guikan was next on the list of casualties when Duncan Ochieng’s knee found the back of his head when rushing out to deal with Blackberry’s free kick.
The game ended in a barren 0-0 draw, ensuring Gor maintain their unbeaten run while Tusker collect a point away from home to move to ninth on the log.