Overview:
NEC’s 11th win in 21 games - the home side’s first ever matches in top flight football - saw them leapfrog Vipers back to third place on 37 points.
Wednesday result
NEC 2-1 Maroons
NEC are back in third place, at least until Vipers SC face off with KCCA on Friday, after seeing off Maroons 2-1 at the MTN Omondi Stadium on Wednesday.
A Joseph Dhata first half penalty and another strike by Pilsner Man of the Match, Allan Mugalu, were enough for the hosts to carry the day.
Isaac Mpagi’s late goal for Maroons was only a consolation in this StarTimes Uganda Premier League encounter.
NEC’s 11th win in 21 games – the home side’s first ever matches in top flight football – saw them leapfrog Vipers back to third place on 37 points.
That is two and three points behind leaders Kitara and BUL. The leading duo have, however, played one game fewer than NEC.
Maroons, who were losing only their sixth in 21 matches, remain sixth on 31 points.
NEC went ahead on 22 minutes when Dhata sent Maroons goalkeeper Amir Nalugoda the wrong way off a penalty spot after striker Cromwell Rwothomio was fouled.
The second for the hosts on 38 minutes was a beauty, Brian Kayanja feeding Mugalu with a delightfully spooned pass, which the number 10 received, starved off his marker in a spin and lofted the ball over Nalugoda.
Maroons got their consolation a minute to full time following a succession of quick passes which Mpagi finished off with resolve.