SC VILLA 1-0 UTODA FC
SC Villa edged hard fighting bottom placed Utoda FC by 1-0 in a league match played at Namboole this evening. Mike Mutebi’s side needed Steven Bengo’s 18th minute penalty to earn the desired three points. Bengo converted from the spot after striker Musamali Paul was fouled in the forbidden area by Utoda FC defender Iddi Ssebalatta. The midfielder chipped in a brilliant ball that kissed the crosse bar before settling at the back of the net. However, the match lacked rhythm in the first half as both teams resorted to short passes with out threatening to penetrate the opponents’ rear guard.
After recess, the Jogoos some how rediscovered their A game and beagn to open up a resilient Utoda FC back line. Musamali Paul forced a good save from Utoda custodian Ssekatawa three minutes after restart with a brilliant header off a Herman Wasswa cross. In the 51st minute, Herman Wasswa should have extended Villa’s lead but his shot outside the 18 yard box hit a cross bar.
Danger man zinda Hussein missed a chance to punish Villa when his shot from within the 16 yard box hit the post after Villa custodian Mulindwa Muwonge was well beaten. Unfortunately, the ball came back down to a lying Mulindwa who saved it before Zinda took advantage of a rebound.
Bengo Steven and Muwadda Mawejje who had come on for Wasswa also missed chances to kill the game and Ismail Kintu’s boys continued to threaten Villa on the counter. This forced Coach Mike to bring on defender Phillip Gassan in the palce of midfielder Acema Robert to comslidate his 1-0 lead and the blues held on till the final whistle.
In his post match interview, Coach Mike Mutebi was pleased with the result and took positives from the fact that his defenders stood tall to thwart Utoda’s numerous attacks. The win lifts Villa to 6th on the table on 40 points while Utoda FC remain looted to the bottom with only five points and remain the only league side not to win a game of football this season.
