Stars Abroad: Oduor features as Grimsby boost play-off hopes while Obiero faces relegation scare
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Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 19.04.26. | 10:05
In Poland, Timothy Babu came on in the 63rd minute and played 27 minutes as Lech Poznań secured a 2-1 win over Pogoń Szczecin on Saturday evening
Harambee Stars defender Clarke Oduor made his fifth consecutive start for Grimsby Town as they boosted their League Two play-off hopes with a commanding 4-1 win over Gillingham.
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Andy Cook handed the visitors a first-half lead before Garath McCleary restored parity for the hosts with a brilliant solo effort.
However, Grimsby took full control in the second half, with Jaze Kabia, Kieran Green and Charles Vernam scoring three quick goals to seal an emphatic victory.
The result keeps Grimsby firmly in the hunt for a top-seven finish, with a game in hand against third-placed Cambridge United offering them a chance to break into the play-off spots.
Oduor, deployed in midfield in a 4-1-4-1 system by David Artell, impressed across his 88-minute outing before being replaced by Tyrell Warren.
The Kenyan had a solid shift in an unfamiliar role, creating one big chance and another key opportunity while posting a 78% pass accuracy, completing 14 of his 18 passes.
He was particularly tidy in his own half with 100% accuracy and managed 64% in the opposition half.
Oduor also helped stretch play, registering a total carrying distance of 102.9 meters from seven carries, two of them progressive, with his longest progressive carry measuring 13.2 metres.
Defensively, he recorded six contributions, including three clearances, one interception, and four recoveries. He also won three of his seven ground duels and contested two aerial duels.
Elsewhere, Harambee Stars midfielder Zech Obiero featured for Tranmere Rovers as their relegation fears deepened following a 2-1 home defeat to in-form Bristol Rovers at Prenton Park.
Yusuf Akhamrich struck a late winner for the visitors, extending Tranmere’s winless run to 12 matches and leaving them just one point above the relegation zone.
Promise Omochere had given the Pirates the lead before Jayden Joseph equalised for the hosts, but the visitors regained control late on.
Obiero was active throughout his 79 minutes on the pitch before being replaced by Charlie Whitaker.
The Kenyan international managed two shots, both on target, and posted a 76% passing accuracy, completing 19 of his 25 attempts.
He was more effective in the opposition half, recording a 72% success rate with 13 accurate passes from 18, while also completing six of seven passes in his own half.
In possession, Obiero registered 42 touches, completing two of his three dribbles. He was fouled three times but lost possession on 11 occasions, while his ball-carrying covered 88.9 meters across 12 carries.
Defensively, he contributed with an interception and four recoveries, won six of his eight ground duels, and attempted an aerial duel.
Since joining Tranmere on a short-term loan in January, Obiero has now made 13 appearances, starting 11 of them, and has accumulated 967 minutes, averaging 74 minutes per match.
He has scored twice, won a Goal of the Month award, and earned one Team of the Week recognition.
Meanwhile, his brother Micah Obiero played 78 minutes for Wealdstone in their 1-1 draw against Scunthorpe United in the National League.
In Poland, Timothy Babu came on in the 63rd minute and played 27 minutes as Lech Poznań secured a 2-1 win over Pogoń Szczecin on Saturday evening.