In a thrilling friendly encounter held at Gobei Primary School on 8th December 2024, Angry Birds FC showcased their attacking prowess, defeating St Lazarus FC with a resounding scoreline of 6-3. The match kicked off at 11:00 am, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of 100 supporters eager to witness an entertaining display of football.
Angry Birds FC lined up in a 3-5-2 formation, which allowed them to dominate the midfield while maintaining a solid defensive structure. Sindio Man took his position as the goalkeeper, shielded by a back three consisting of Henry Otieno in central defence, flanked by Vicky Adhola on the right and Michael Stepper on the left. The midfield was packed with Edwin Okoth and Fred Difre operating as right and left midfielders respectively, while Ronald Ras, Moses Byrris, and Okeyo Francis formed a trio of central midfielders, tasked with controlling the tempo and linking play. Up front, the dynamic duo of William Ochieng and Felix Onyango were expected to exploit the spaces left by the opposition's defence.
The substitutes for Angry Birds FC included Lenne, who would later make an impactful appearance in the match.
The scoring opened early in the match when William Ochieng unleashed a stunning long-range strike in the 11th minute, assisted by Henry Otieno's precise short pass. However, St Lazarus FC responded immediately, equalising just moments later, also in the 11th minute, showcasing their determination to stay in the contest.
As the first half progressed, Felix Onyango put Angry Birds FC back in front in the 29th minute, scoring from outside the box with a well-placed shot, courtesy of an assist from Fred Difre. Yet again, St Lazarus FC refused to back down, equalising once more in the 31st minute with a powerful right-footed effort from outside the area.
The first half concluded with the score level at 2-2, setting the stage for an exhilarating second half.
The second half began with St Lazarus FC taking the lead for the first time in the match, scoring in the 50th minute. This goal seemed to energise Angry Birds FC, who quickly regrouped and responded with a goal from Felix Onyango in the 55th minute, assisted by Moses Byrris, as he struck from outside the box to level the score at 3-3.
In the 60th minute, Henry Otieno restored Angry Birds FC's lead with a powerful header from a corner taken by Ronald Ras, sending the home fans into raptures. The momentum was firmly with Angry Birds FC, and they extended their lead further when Felix Onyango scored his third goal of the match in the 72nd minute, again with a header, this time from a cross delivered by Edwin Okoth.
With the score at 5-3, Angry Birds FC made a tactical substitution in the 76th minute, bringing on Lenne for Okeyo Francis. As the match neared its conclusion, William Ochieng was flagged offside in the 79th minute, but this did little to dampen the spirits of the home side.
In the 87th minute, Lenne made an immediate impact by scoring a penalty, converting with his right foot from close range, which sealed the victory at 6-3. Just a minute later, Vicky Adhola made a crucial interception to prevent a potential chance for St Lazarus FC, ensuring that the scoreline remained intact as the match drew to a close.
Felix Onyango was undoubtedly the standout performer of the match, contributing significantly to Angry Birds FC's emphatic victory with his hat-trick. The referee's performance was adequate, though not without its moments of scrutiny, as the match concluded with a thrilling display of attacking football from the home side.
