Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Chicken Inn… 0
Scottland… (1) 1
SCOTTLAND tightened their grip on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title race with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Chicken Inn at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday, a result that deepened the Gamecocks’ relegation fears.
A sixth-minute strike from Tymon Machope proved decisive, his sharp finish from a Khama Billiat assist marking his 13th goal of the season.
The goal triggered wild celebrations from the visitors’ dugout, a sign of just how valuable the three points were in a tense match.
Scottland now sit on 59 points, four clear of second-placed Simba Bhora.
For Chicken Inn, the picture is far less encouraging.
They remain marooned on 33 points and sliding closer to the relegation zone, a reality coach Joey Antipas admitted was weighing heavily.
“There weren’t many chances in the game, but the few that did come mostly fell to us. Unfortunately, we failed to convert,” Antipas said. “In this league, if you don’t bury your chances, you get punished, and that’s exactly what happened today. I thought we gave them too much respect. Had we applied pressure earlier, maybe the outcome would’ve been different. But that’s football. With the quality they have, any lapse in concentration gets punished. For us, the struggle continues.”
Scottland coach Tonderai Ndiraya was delighted to finally break his side’s poor run at Barbourfields.
“We controlled the game well, although Chicken Inn did create some chances,” Ndiraya said. “The quality in our squad helped us manage the game. Scoring early was key, we knew it would be hard for them to come back, especially after losing their previous match. It was important for us to break our poor run here, and I’m really proud of the players. The support we received today was fantastic, and this win means a lot to us.”
The match began at a frenetic pace. Godknows Murwira’s set-piece caused problems in the box, with Marlon Mushonga and Brandan Rendo threatening for the hosts. Chicken Inn had a penalty appeal turned down soon after, when Kingsley Mureremba appeared to handle the ball while clearing under pressure, but referee Mhaka Magare waved play on.
Moments later, Scottland struck. Billiat slipped Machope through, and the striker clinically finished past Donovan Bernard. From then on, Scottland always carried a threat on the counter.
Murwira went into the book in the 23rd minute after persistent fouling, and minutes later, another slick exchange between Billiat and Machope carved open Chicken Inn’s defence. This time Billiat dragged his shot wide.
Walter Musona then lit up the stadium with dazzling footwork that left three defenders on the turf, only to be denied by Mushonga’s desperate block. The hosts nearly hit back on the stroke of half-time, but Lincoln Mangaira’s header flashed just wide from a Xolani Ndlovu cross.
After the break, Chicken Inn pressed harder. Lyonyh Chikuhwa beat two defenders on a weaving run but shot tamely at Nelson Chadya in the 53rd minute.
He wasted another gilt-edged chance in the 64th, blasting over from close range, before teammate Michael Charamba was stretchered off injured.
Scottland almost wrapped it up in the 73rd when substitute Terrence Dzvukamanja forced Bernard into a save, though his effort lacked power.
In the end, Machope’s early strike stood tall. Chicken Inn had their moments, but poor finishing and a touch of class from Scottland made the difference.
