Teboho Molapo
Lerotholi…………..(1) 3
Roma Rovers……..(0) 0
MASERU — Lerotholi totally outplayed rivals Roma Rovers to claim a comfortable 3-0 victory at the Central Prisons yesterday.
Rovers had insisted they would not be relegated this season going into the tie, but on the evidence of yesterday’s form, the Roma side’s stay with the big boys may be shorter than expected.
The two sides went into the match separated by a single point, but the gulf in class was much wider than what was being proclaimed by the log table.
By the time Thabo Mabula opened the scoring for Lerotholi in the 18th minute, it could have been 2-0 already. First, Mafereka ‘Mota volleyed high and wide in the 14th minute and two minutes later, the outstanding Tšeliso Sejake had his shot cleared off the line after a schoolboy blunder by Lerotholi keeper Tšepo Monyatsi.
Monyatsi, deputising for Phoka Matete, didn’t have the best of outings yesterday. However, there was nothing he could do about Mabula’s opener. The left-winger was given time and space to volley in right-back Nkoebe Mohato’s pin-point cross at the far post, to open the floodgates for the home-side.
The goal lifted Lerotholi and their pairing of Teboho ‘Mota and Lebohang Molaoli, dominated the midfield with a confidence that filtered through to the rest of the team.
Rovers’ chances — on the other hand — were few and far between, and those that did arrive were taken with the conviction of a team that has only won three times all season.
The best of the lot fell to one of Rovers’ better performers on the day, Liteboho Mahao, but the striker dragged his shot wide in the 40th minute, with Tumelo Ntsoane out of position.
The second half was almost the same as the first 45 minutes, and Rovers’ sloppy ways resulted in Lerotholi’s second goal. After Malefetsane Kaeane gave the ball away cheaply near the centre-line, ‘Mota pounced, waltzed past a feeble tackle, laid it on for Mafereka ‘Matli who in turn, set up Motlatsi Makutle who finished low to Monyatsi’s left. In the 66th minute, Mohato missed a golden opportunity to make it 3-0 when he missed a penalty.
Makutle then completed the rout in the 74th minute when he slotted a penalty, after his goal-bound shot was handled on the line.
Full results:
Lioli 0-0 Joy; Lerotholi Polytechnic 3-0 Roma Rovers; Butha-Buthe Roses 0-1 Bantu; Mphatlalatsane 1-1 Linare
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