URA FC was unable to collect all three points after leading the game at half-time for the second time this season following the debacle last time out away to Arua Hill SC at the Barifa Playground.
This was a home fixture against BUL FC this time round, a game that doubled as URA FC’s third league game as URA FC manager and one where the team were motivated enough to fight for all three points and makeup ground on the top sides.
To do this, the gaffer named an attack-oriented team that looked almost unchanged but with introductions of Ivan Sserubiri and Joackiam Ojera for Najib Fesali and Kabon Living respectively. The motive here was to lead on the front.
The Tax Collectors attacked the game with a lot of charisma and motivation, applying a lot of pressure on the opponent and dominating the proceedings with an aim of fulfilling the ultimate goal of levying the opposition.
The initial payment of the taxes by BUL FC came as early as the third minute when URA’s topscorer last season, Steven Dese Mukwala converted Cromwel Rwothomio’s perfect pass to give us the lead.
What followed was us holding grip on possession, dominating the game which almost paid off in the 18th minute when Rwothomio got a chance against the opposition custodian, only to see his effort deflect wide in agonizing fashion.
Mukwala came close as well a minute later off a Derrick Ndahiro cross but the chance didn’t materialize either. Shafik Kagimu set up Mukwala in the 27th minute through a free-kick but the result ended up being the same.
Saidi Kyeyune climaxed the dominant first half of the game from a URA perspective with a long-range effort in the 34th minute but didn’t see it amount to anything positive.
The tale in the second stanza of the game was a bit different and more direct from URA and it didn’t take long for the skipper to double the lead with a splendid shot beyond the opposition goalkeeper. 2-0 it was at this juncture.
Joackiam Ojera made way for Kabon Living in the 53rd minute before it all came crumbling down. BUL scored their first goal of the game six minutes later and were in charge of the tie at this moment.
Alex Isabirye’s side indeed pushed the Tax Collectors to the ropes and got justice for it in the 84th minute with a goal to make the game level at 2-2, thereby bringing back déja vú memories.
It was at this point that the centre referee blew his final whistle to confirm that spoils were to be shared at the Arena of Visions and that Sam Timbe’s side had yet again squandered a half-time lead.
SQUAD
James Alitho (GK), Ashraf Mandela, Derrick Ndahiro, Hudu Mulikyi, Patrick Mbowa, Ivan Sserubiri, Shafik Kagimu, Saidi Kyeyune, Joackiam Ojera, Steven Mukwala and Cromwel Rwothomio.