adminHow Mine ………………………….…………………. (1) 1
Chicken Inn ………………………….……………….. (1) 1
BULAWAYO Castle Lager Premier Soccer League teams, How Mine and Chicken Inn shared the spoils in an evenly balanced Premiership match played yesterday at Hartsfield Rugby Ground.
A fifth minute goal from Lawrence Mhlanga gave Chicken Inn the lead but the Gamecocks’ lead was short-lived when Mernad Mupera slotted in the ball from the penalty spot in the 24th minute for Chikurupati. The match was evenly balanced with the teams having a fair share of chances as both goalkeepers were called in to make crucial saves at various stages of the game.
The duel kicked off at a high tempo with both teams seeking an early goal but it was the Gamecocks who broke down How Mine’s defence in the fifth minute when they were awarded a corner kick that was taken by Clemence Matawu. The ball found an unmarked Mhlanga, who jumped to nod past Donovan Bernard in between the posts for How Mine.
The goal seemed to spur How Mine on as they went in search for an equaliser with Timothy January’s powerful shot from just outside the box blocked by Chicken Inn, keeper Elvis Chipezeze in the 12th minute.
The gold miners were rewarded in the 24th minute when Heritein Masuku was brought down in the box and referee Hardly Ndazi quickly pointed to the spot. Mupera took responsibility and coolly slotted in the penalty, sending Chipezeze the wrong way to level the scores.
Chicken Inn were awarded a free kick 25 yards away from the goal line in the 33rd minute and Brian Mbiriri stepped up and produced a stunning shot that was, however, blocked by Donovan.
How Mine gaffer, Luke Masomere said injuries to January, Mupera and Louis Matawu had affected their game but was glad they walked away with a point.
“I think it is a fair result we both had chances but couldn’t find the goal and with derbies the result could have gone either way. I am glad we are yet to lose since I came here and hope we will continue picking up the points and move away from the relegation zone,” he said.
Chicken Inn coach, Joey Antipas felt they should have walked away with the three points.
“I think we were unfortunate not to win the game as we missed several chances and in the second half we were on top of the situation but we were unable to find the back of the net. I feel we are having a problem upfront with our strikers failing to convert the chances but we are going to seek strategies to overcome that weakness and hope we manage a strong finish in the league,” he said.
Online Reporter