STARS ABROAD: Heartbreak for Harambee Stars midfielder as English side suffers playoff defeat

It was heartbreak for Harambee Stars midfielder Clarke Oduor after his on-loan side Grimsby Town were denied a chance to secure promotion into League One, following their EFL League Two playoff defeat to Salford City at the Peninsula Stadium on Friday, 15 May.

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Oduor, whose parent club is League One side Bradford City, was a late substitute as The Mariners conceded a late goal to draw 2-2 after extra-time, losing out 3-2 in aggregate across two legs.

The Kenyan international, who played 79 minutes of the first leg that ended 2-1 in favour of Salford on Sunday, 10 May, was introduced in the 110th minute of the game, playing 11 forgetful minutes as Grimsby’s season unfortunately came to an end.

When Oduor entered the fray for the injured Kieran Green, visiting Grimsby were 2-1 up on the night, with their hopes of a potential playoff final at Wembley still high.

That was not to be, as Kallum Cesay struck the decisive blow for Salford with three minutes remaining, taking advantage of a long throw in, to eventually ward of substitute Tyrell Warren, and slot in past goalkeeper Jackson Smith.

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The goal undid all the work David Artell’s side had done on the night, when they overturned a 1-0 deficit to lead 2-1 in normal time.

The hosts took the lead in the 53rd minute through a Dan Udoh volley from close range,to build what was a commanding 3-1 aggregate advantage.

A resurgent Grimsby were however not ready to fall over easily, as they set up a tense finale with two goals in four minutes.

First to score was Green, who headed in a 74th minute equaliser, feeding off a corner from Reece Staunton.

Four minutes later, Grimsby were back in the tie through Jaze Kebi, who tapped in a low cross from goalscorer Green, to send the visitors ahead on the night and level on aggregate.

Extra time was not Grimsby’s ally however, as the late Cesay goal lifted Salford to a final against Notts County at Wembley on Monday, 25 May, after the latter beat Chesterfield 1-0 in the other semifinal.

For Oduor, a journey at the club that began in August comes to an end, but with plentiful of memories, including runs to the Fourth Rounds of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

In August, Oduor was part of the team that shocked Manchester United in the second round of the Carabao Cup, beating The Red Devils 12-11 on post-match penalties following a 2-2 draw in normal time.

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