Online Reporter
By Onward Gangata
Kwekwe United . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0
MWOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1)1
MWOS edged closer to the leading pack in the title race with a 1-0 win over relegated Kwekwe United in a largely one-sided Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match at Ascot yesterday.
The Lloyd Mutasa-coached side could have won by a huge margin had they been clinical in front of goal.
But Billy Veremu’s strike on the stroke of half-time was enough for MWOS to move within four points of leaders Scottland on 52 points, climbing to third place in the process.
Despite the victory, Mutasa remains modest and insists that his side is not in the title race but targeting a top four finish.
“From the onset I said it that we were targeting safety first, once we secured safety we went for the top-eight and from there we are now looking at being part of the top four teams,” said Mutasa.
“At the moment what I can say is that I am glad to be part of the top four and I think we deserve to be there as one of the top four teams in the league.”
Kwekwe United made a promising start to the match as they pegged back their much-fancied opponents in their own half in the opening stages of the match.
They were, however, let down by their lack of precision in front of goal as they failed to punish MWOS for the sluggish start.
The Norton side grew into the match and started making some meaningful forays, orchestrated by Nigel Matinha.
Arthur Banda almost gave MWOS the lead on the half-hour mark with his snapshot that was parried to safety by Kwekwe goalkeeper Elton Nechiware.
The gangly goal minder was called into action moments later, this time denying Clive Kwangwari’s blistering shot with a pin point save.
MWOS tightened the screws in the late stages of the half and were duly rewarded when Veremu shrugged off his marker to head home.
They came back from the breather with the same energy, nearly doubling the lead moments after the break only for Malvern Mudzuka to mistime his effort sending it over the bar.
Kwekwe United had Nechiware to thank as he denied MWOS twice from set pieces, first punching away Tinotenda Mutyambizi’s powerful drive before diving to his right to deny Innocent Zambezi.
MWOS kept the pressure but could not find another goal as their strikers took turns to miss.
Kwekwe United coach Masimba Dinyero conceded that his side had been outplayed.
“After starting well, I thought we should have taken advantage of that good start but unfortunately we conceded a soft goal and my boys never recovered from that goal and it took the energy out of them,” he said.
