A three-goal first half blitz propelled Mathare United FC to trounce Posta Rangers FC 3-1 in a SportPesa Premier League (SPL) clash at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Thursday afternoon.
The 2008 champions moved up to third following the victory having held off a second half fight-back from the struggling mailmen.
The match was finely balanced until Charles Odette notched an own goal to give Mathare a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute.
Odette’s error sparked a collapse from Rangers whose defensive error-strewn display was punished by two further goals from the slum boys.
James Situma stretched the Mathare’s tally to 2-0 in the 29th after he successfully headed in a Kevin Kimani’s set piece cross from the left wing.
Harun Junior made it 3-0 with a drilled in shot following a melee on Rangers goal-mouth in the 35th as Cavin Odongo pulled one for Rangers in the 72nd.
It was Junior’s first goal for Mathare who eclipsed coast based Bandari in third place after the victory. The winners have so far accumulated 34 points after 19 games.
The loss saw Rangers(16) dipped to 16th where they are now in the relegation zone alongside Zoo Kericho FC and Mt. Kenya FC who lost 4-0 and 3-1 to title holders Gor Mahia FC and Sofapaka FC on Wednesday in that order.
“We utilised our chances well in the first half. We could have scored more goals had we had the same vigour in the later stages but unfortunately we became comfortable with the scoreline,” Mathare tactician, Salim Ali, underlined.R
Rangers head coach, John Kamau blamed lack of sharpness upfront on their loss saying he is now out to shop for a lethal striker before the SPL transfer window ends on April 8.
“We had lots of chances but there was no one to convert them into goals. I probably needs one clean finisher to do this job,” Kamau highlighted.