Online Reporter
Tongai Mashonga in KWEKWE
HARDROCK coach Kelvin Kaindu saluted his men after they turned on the show to crush Herentals 4-1 in a lively Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Chahwanda yesterday.
They set the tone early and never really let go of the game. Wilfred Madzungu struck twice inside the opening ten minutes and Herentals were chasing shadows from there.
“It’s good for us we’ve responded, we have been narrowly, today we managed to score four goals. It’s not easy to score four goals against teams like Herentals.
“We started a bit strong in the first half, in the second half they made some changes putting us under pressure until the last stages where we managed to get a goal through a counter attack.
“It was a difficult counter attack.”
Madzungu opened the scoring from the spot after being brought down by Tinashe Mupumha, a decision that did not sit well with the visitors.
Madzungu kept his composure and sent goalkeeper Tinotendaishe Takarinda the wrong way.
Tinotenda Muringai, Munashe Bamara and Washington Navaya drove the early pressure, stretching Herentals before they could settle.
Herentals came in with a plan to sit deep and break, leaning on the experience of captain Ralph Kawondera and the creativity of Milton Chimedza and Wilmore Chimbetu.
But they struggled to get out, pinned back by Hardrock’s pace and energy.
Nigel Matinha delivered from the right and Madzungu was there to finish, completing his brace as Hardrock pulled further away.
Herentals did show some fight after the interval. Kawondera and Chimedza began to find space on the flanks, swinging in dangerous balls that Tonderai Mateyaunga dealt with well. But every time they pushed forward, Hardrock looked dangerous on the break.
Last Nyilenda marked his Premier Soccer League debut with a goal, rising to head home from Muringai’s delivery.
It capped a confident display from the Karoi-born youngster. Herentals eventually got something when Kawondera converted from the penalty spot after Mateyaunga fouled Prince Mahembe.
Hardrock had the final word. Deep into stoppage time, Samuel Makawa broke down the left and picked out Sambulo Simelane, who finished cleanly to wrap up the afternoon.
Herentals coach Paul Benza pointed to his side’s reaction after the early setback.
“I think the game was still dry in the first ten minutes and the boys had uncontrolled tempers after the penalty awarded to Hardrock.
“It became very difficult for us to control and play the ball. We came back strong in the second half as I told my boys that they scored two goals in ten minutes and we can also do the same.
“Unfortunately, we conceded a third goal at the beginning of the second half but the boys fought up to the end.”
