Matlama hold Kick4Life
Moorosi Tsiane
TŠELISO Ramathe’s late equaliser ensured Matlama shared the spoils in a one-all draw with Kick4Life in a Vodacom Premier League match played at LCS Ground yesterday.
As a result, Kick4Life dropped to second position behind new leaders Lioli who have a superior goal difference after hammering whipping boys Butha Buthe Warriors 5-1 yesterday.
The match started slowly as the sides tested each other before Kick4Life seized the initiative.
Striker Thabiso Brown was a handful for Matlama right back John Mohai who had to be helped out by Michael Mireku in dealing with the pacy forward.
Apart from that, Leslie Notši’s side struggled to breach the Matlama rearguard that was well marshalled by Ramathe.
Matlama’s strike force failed to pose serious threats to their opponents and the match was deadlocked at half-time.
Immediately after the break Matlama introduced Tankiso Makhutla for Kefuoe Mahula who struggled in the first half.
Five minutes later Kick4Life made a double substitution bringing in Tseliso Ramafikeng and Tseliso Sejake for Thabo Mphosi and Fidel Ntoya.
The substitutes worked wonders for the visitors, giving them stability in the middle of the park and making a lot of forward passes.
Kick4Life made their last substitution on the hour mark when Brown made way for Motlalepula Chabeli.
The Old Europa outfit finally made the breakthrough in the 68th minute when Matlama goalkeeper Monaheng Ramalefane dived too late to prevent Mothoana’s set piece from just the penalty area nestling at the back of the net.
The goal was followed by a five minute stoppage to enable Matlama captain Tankiso Makhutla to calm down his team’s supporters who were raging with anger and throwing bottles at the assistant referee in protest.
Matlama then introduced winger Khotso Molulela for the subdued Tumelo Maine and two minutes they almost levelled matters but midfielder Relebohile Mabone’s long range effort was punched out for a corner by Kick4Life keeper Thetsane Sele.
The Sea-Point outfit kept piling on the pressure and they were rewarded in the 84th minute when Ramathe capitalised after Kick4Life failed to clear Phafa Tšosane’s corner.
In the post-match interview, Matlama assistant coach Sello Seholoholo praised his charges for showing character and recovering from a goal down.
“It was not an easy match but we are satisfied with how our charges played, they really showed character and they have shown improvement,” Seholoholo said.
For his part, Kick4Life’s Notši credited his team for putting a good show against “a big team with seasoned players,” adding, “there is no pressure for us at the moment, we just need to stay focused in our next matches”.
“We conceded an easy goal but I hope it was a lesson to my boys going forward,” Notši said.
Meanwhile, Rovers added to Likhopo miseries by beating them 1-0.
Elsewhere, Linare played to a 2-all draw with LDF in the first match of double header played at Maputsoe while Lioli ran riot against relegation threatened Butha-Buthe Warriors thrashing them 5-1 to complete yesterday’s matches.
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