Online Reporter
Tongai Mashonga in KWEKWE
HARDROCK missed the opportunity to cut the gap at the top of the Castle Lager Premiership when they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Triangle behind closed doors at Chahwanda yesterday.
Veteran midfielder Thabani Kamusoko broke the deadlock midway through the first half when he collected Marshall Gavaza’s weak clearance and fired a powerful volley past goalkeeper Martin Mapisa.
Steven Zvogo added to Hardrock’s misery when he fired in from an acute angle for Triangle’s second.
New signing Prince Dube, who had an assist last Sunday, opened his account for Hardrock from a set-piece, but the home side could not get another to rescue the match.
Hardrock coach Kelvin Kaindu said it was not their day.
“Football being football, I think they got their first goal out of nothing. They got their second goal,” he said.
“It was going to be difficult for us to kill the game. We tried everything to come back. I don’t know how many chances we had. We had two disallowed goals. It just shows that it was not our day today.
“The fighting spirit was there. It was just unfortunate the way we conceded the two goals.
“We created a lot of chances where we could have got the two goals. The last chance was cleared off the line. Playing a team at the bottom of the log and they score two goals, it will be difficult for you to come back. We missed the support of our fans, the 12th player,” said Kaindu.
A win yesterday could have seen Hardrock cut the gap at the top to four points. Log leaders Scottland, who are on 49 points, lost at Barbourfields.
Triangle coach Genesis Mangombe was happy with the three points at a time when they are trying to rise from the murky waters.
“I’m happy with the way we played, collecting maximum points away from home, given that we are playing a team in the top five,” said Mangombe.
“It means we did our homework well. I’m also elated with the way we created chances and punished Hardrock.
“It’s work in progress, making sure all departments are doing very well so that in the next assignments we can manage to get maximum points.
“If the boys had followed the tactics from training, it was going to be easy for us. I’m not happy with the way we conceded that goal. We don’t want to be found wanting on those types of goals.
“The secret behind this is the way we train and encourage these boys under difficult circumstances, and I’m happy with the boys’ response. For me, it’s a positive result.”
