Teboho Molapo

Lerotholi…………(1) 2

Mphatlalatsane…..(1) 2

MASERU — Strugglers Lerotholi and Mphatlalatsane fought out a 2-2 draw in a Vodacom Premier League match played at the Central Prison ground yesterday.

The two teams, which could face the dreaded drop this season, did little to dispel talk of their demise in a dour encounter.

Based on yesterday’s showing, this season could be a long, tough slog for Lihale and Li Naleli supporters.

Although the match saw plenty of goals, it lacked real quality.

With the point they gained, Lerotholi leapfrogged champions Matlama into ninth place with seven points from eight games.

Mphatlalatsane moved off the bottom to 13th place with five points.

Lerotholi made the brighter start to yesterday’s game and their customary passing game troubled a Mphatlalatsane side apparently exhausted by the trip from St Monica’s.

The students had early zip about them and took the lead in the 16th minute through a calm finish by lively striker Lebajoa Moloroane.

On a high, and further intoxicated by the cheers of the handful Lihale supporters, the hosts pushed forward and came close again when Teboho ‘Mota’s 27th minute free-kick flashed past everyone and scraped the post.

But as halftime approached, Lerotholi took their foot off the pedal and paid the price.

From a corner-kick in the 41st minute Lerotholi’s keeper, Maqolo Lekhooa, did well to claw out Mmanuel Raselemane’s header.

But Lekhooa could only parry it into the danger area and Tšepo Soaisa reacted first to level matters.

All of a sudden Mphatlalatsane came to life and Soiasa wasn’t too far off with an acrobatic attempt three minutes later.

Then two minutes after the break Soaisa wasted a golden opportunity when he shot straight at the keeper with Lihale’s defence asleep.

Mphatlalatsane finally made their period of supremacy count with a well-worked goal in the 54th minute.

Thulo Monethi won the ball in midfield and passed it on to Sehlabaka Moletsane who in turn swung it out wide to Soaisa on the right flank.

Soaisa crossed to the far post and Raselemane headed back across the goal for an on-rushing Moletsane to sweep the ball into the net.

That goal, a move of slick precision, seemed to remind everyone including Lihale this was a Premiership match.