MATCH REPORT: BUL FC 1-0 URA FC
Alex Kitata’s solitary goal and Tom Ikara’s goalkeeping heroics secured a 1-0 win for BUL FC over URA FC at FUFA Technical Centre on Tuesday.
Kitata roofed in his fourth goal of the season and Ikara denied Emmanuel Oketch, Joseph Ssemujju, Joshua Lubwama, Sharif Kimbowa and Viane Ssekajugo to secure all three points for Abbey Kikomeko’s side and ultimately move to the summit of the league table with 18 points from six games.
It was BUL’s fourth league win over URA since November 2011 and sixth on the bounce this season.
In what was a keenly contested encounter in Njeru, the tax collectors had chances to open the scoring but their lackluster performance infront of the goal and Ikara’s strong gloves were their greatest undoing.
Wide man Emmanuel Oketch came close under five minutes when he beat his marker to the ball in our half, advanced and unleashed a rocket that would be a goal on any day but our net minder was equal to the task as he parried the ball into corner.
Ikara was forced into another sensational save to keep us level, punching away a ferocious effort from Joseph Ssemujju who had found himself in space near the area and his attempt to convert the rebound was just too high.
BUL’s first real sight of goal came midway the first half, as George Kasonko demonstrated his attacking threat when he picked out Jerome Kirya whose low drive was well held by Denis Otim in URA’s goal.
By now, the Eastern Giants had started creating openings and on 35 minutes, Kirya floated an inviting free kick into the box and it bounced off the back of Reagan Kalyowa after losing sight of the ball.
Moments later, an electrifying move involving Kasonko, Nicholas Mwere and Martin Aprem resulted in Kirya releasing a low shot but it was off target and the chance went begging.
At the other end, the visitors could and perhaps should have opened the scores following a break through the middle by Hassan Kalega. Upon receiving the pass from the midfielder, Ssemujju agonizingly again failed to beat the goalkeeper.
Two successive corners went BUL’s way on the stroke of half time but the opponents were tight enough to keep the scores even heading into the break.
BUL began the second half with much urgency and soon after the restart; the Eastern Giants went ahead on 52 minutes.
Walter Ochora’s initial pass was blocked by Najib Fesali, Fesali’s clearance then bounced off the chest of a retreating Lubwama and back into their zone, beating Hudu Mulikyi before reaching Kitata who calmly tucked in the ball with his right foot to us into the lead.
The visitors however came close to equalizing just minutes later. Lubwama delivered a dangerous free kick but it was tipped over the bar by Tom Ikara.
At this moment, URA was everywhere, creating chances but with no one to convert. Ssemujju wasted yet again another chance. Ivan Ahimbisibwe missed from close range off an assist from substitute Moses Aliro following a counter, while Kimbowa also could not turn Kalega’s flicked header into the net as the end of the game was approaching.
Goalkeeper Denis Otim denied Mwere with a strong arm before Kitata hit the woodwork for BUL.
The game’s last chance fell to Vianne Ssekajugo in the additional five minutes but Ikara was alert enough to keep the clean sheet, his fourth in five matches.
BUL’s next league match will be against UPDF FC on 9th November in Bombo.
Starting XI:
Tom Ikara (GK), Hillary Onek, Nicholas Mwere, Ronald Otti, Walter Ochora, Pascal Ngobi, George Kasonko, Jerome Kirya, Martin Aprem, Reagan Kalyowa, Alex Kitata.
Substitutes;
Joel Mutakubwa (GK), Samuel Ssekamatte, Lawrence Tezikya, Gerald Ogweti, Ibrahim Kazindula, Mathew Odong, Emmanuel Obua, Edrine Opaala, Douglas Muganga.