LDF holds LCS
…as Liphakoe surprise Lioli
Moorosi Tsiane
LCS failed to topple Matlama from the summit of the 14-team Econet Premier League table as they were held to a goalless draw by LDF at LCS Ground yesterday.
The correctional service side went into the yesterday match with 16 points, trailing one point behind Matlama who play struggling Kick4Life this afternoon.
Had they won yesterday, LCS could have leapfrogged Matlama into the pole position with a gap of two points between them.
LDF were first to threaten the goal with a curled set piece from Tsolo Mokapane placed on the far post but goalkeeper Sam Ketsekile stood his ground to save the ball for a corner.
LCS only came close to scoring on the half hour mark through Mosiuoa Boseeka’s free kick just about 10 inches from the penalty area and it was saved for a corner by the LDF goal minder, Teboho Ratibisi.
Masheshena, as LCS are affectionately known, came knocking once again and Ratibisi had to come to LDF’s rescue puling a fantastic save to deny Boseeka from another free kick.
The home side seemed to have taken control of the match in the middle of the park with the trio of Lieta Lehloka, Boseeka and Setho Moshoeshoe pulling the strings.
Thapelo Tale could have put LCS in the lead 10 minutes before the break exchanging neat passes with Lehloka from a counter attack but he failed to score with only the goalkeeper to beat as he shot straight at Ratibisi who was enjoying a good game.
LDF on the other had had their chances and Thabo Mongali could have headed home from Lebona Malebanye’s cross a minute before the half time break but he was unfortunate as his header went over the cross bar forcing the match to go into the break with no goals.
There was not much of a difference at the start of the second stanza as both sides seemed to be struggling to get it better on the last attacking third.
Desperate for a goal LDF made a first substitute introducing striker Mojela Letsie for Thabang Rabi who had a bad day in the office on 63 minutes.
Five minutes later LCS followed suit pulling out Lehloka for young Thetso Phosholi.
The battle continued to be strong in the middle of the park with also LDF trio of Tšepo Toloane, Moloi Morena and Lebohang Kekhemane trying to match LCS’s midfield but the match did not produce many goal scoring chances.
LCS made their last two substitutes with Lehlohonolo Lenka coming in for Boseeka on 80 minutes while Motlapula Chabeli came in for Tale on the 85th minute.
LCS coach Mpitsa Marai said he was unimpressed by his charges’ showing on the day.
“I am not happy with how we played today but we will go back to the drawing board and see how we can rectify the mistakes that we made,” Marai said.
“I think it is also normal that a team can’t always give out the same performance in all the matches throughout the season so this is one of those matches where it wasn’t really our day.”
Marai said it was also too early to be worried about Matlama as the race is still wide open for many teams.
“I am not even thinking about how they (Matlama) will play tomorrow because I think it is still too early to be worried about them. For now we just need to go back and work on our team and ensure that we win our next match,” he said.
LDF coach Motheo Mohapi on the other hand said he was satisfied with the draw.
“I am happy with how we played today. The boys tried what we practiced coming into the match but they only lacked improvisation in the final third. However, I am happy with how they executed our plan,” Mohapi said.
In the first match of the double header at LCS Ground, Liphakoe stunned Lioli handing them a 2-0 loss courtesy of Letuka Mokhochane and Basia Letuka’s goals.
Elsewhere, Sefotha-fotha held LMPS to a one-all draw at PTC Ground to wrap up Saturday fixtures.
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