adminTakudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
EASTERN Region Division One side FC Mutoko succumbed to their first defeat of the season when they fell to rivals Yadah Stars who beat them 2-1 at Prospect Grounds on Saturday.
The Mutoko based side had gone for 14 games without tasting defeat, but were humbled by Yadah Stars, albeit in controversial circumstances.
Supporters from both sides were at each other’s throats after they felt the referee had ended the match prematurely on 85 minutes.
After the game FC Mutoko supporter Tasara Machona was briefly detained by the police as he was seeking explanation from the match officials.
The much anticipated top of the table clash saw Yadah Stars settling first and they took the lead in the fifth minute through a Johannes Sibanda strike.
Mutoko replied via Malvern Benhura, but Yadah Stars took control of the match soon after the second half as they added another goal.
FC Mutoko director Chido Mudzinganyama was left a bitter man as he felt there were so many stoppages throughout the match and claimed the referee did not take that into account and put any additional time.
“The game finished with only 39 minutes of the second half played and I don’t know why the referees did that. I do not usually like to comment about match officials, but I think you saw what happened.
“If we continue like this our soccer will never develop. We will take it from here and look forward to win our next games,” said Mudzinganyama.
In the Northern Region Back Rhinos had their nine-point lead reduced to seven when they were held to a goalless draw by stubborn Karoi United at One Commando.
Eastern Region Results
Melfort 2, Mwenezana 1; Gutu 0, Masvingo City 0; Yadah Stars 2, FC Mutoko 1; Black Eagles 0, Tenax 0; Buffaloes 2, Prime Rangers 0; Mupandawana 1, Surrey 1; Chibi United 0, Africa Trust 3.
Eastern Region Log
P W D L GF GA P
Buffaloes 13 10 2 1 33 11 32
FC Mutoko 12 8 4 0 19 16 28
Yadah Stars 12 8 3 1 25 9 27
Renco Mine 13 7 1 5 21 13 22
Africa Trust 13 6 4 3 16 12 22
Tenax 13 5 6 2 19 8 21
Melfort 13 5 4 4 12 16 19
Rangers 13 5 3 5 13 16 18
Masvingo 13 3 7 3 12 11 16
Mwenezana 13 4 4 5 14 14 16
Gutu 13 4 3 6 8 18 12
Black Eagles 13 2 4 7 10 14 10
Surrey 13 2 4 7 9 17 10
Calvary 13 2 4 7 11 21 10
Mpandawana13 3 2 8 11 29 8
Chibi United 13 1 1 11 10 31 4
Northern Region Results
ZRP FC 3, Banket United 1; Herentals 3, Commando Bullets 1; Golden Valley 1, Kariba Waves 1; Black Rhinos 0, Karoi United 0; Gunners 2, Cranborne Bullets 0; Mushowani Stars 1, ZRP Morris 1; Blue Swallows 0, Chegutu Pirates 0; Shamva 1, Darwin United 1; Flame Lilly 2, DStv Rangers 1.
Northern Region Log
P W D L F A Pts
Black Rhinos 15 11 2 2 23 5 35
Gunners 15 8 4 3 23 13 28
Herentals 15 7 6 2 22 9 27
Karoi 15 7 5 3 18 12 26
Darwin 15 7 4 4 16 15 25
Mushowani 15 6 5 4 13 11 23
Flame Lily 15 6 4 5 13 11 22
Golden Valley 15 5 7 3 14 14 22
Cranborne 15 5 5 5 17 16 20
Chegutu 15 5 5 5 15 17 20
Swallows 15 5 4 6 13 15 19
ZRP Morris 15 4 6 5 12 9 18
ZRP FC 15 4 5 6 15 15 17
Banket 15 2 10 3 11 18 16
Commando 15 3 6 6 13 16 15
Dstv Rangers 15 3 4 8 14 19 13
Kariba Waves 15 0 7 8 10 25 7
Shamva 15 1 4 10 6 28 7
Southern Region Results
Bulawayo Chiefs 1, Hwange U-20 0; Talen Vision 1, Indlovu Iyanyathela 1; ZRP Byo Province 0, Makomo 1; Bantu Rovers 2, Amagagasi 0; Bosso 90 2, Vic Falls Tigers 0
Central Region Results
FC Platinum U-20 1, Gweru United 0; Ivan Hoe Mine 4, Jessie Mine 1; ZRP Beitbridge 3, Chrome Stars 0; Vumbabchikwe 1, ZRP Gwanda 0; MSU 2, Kwekwe Sables 2; Nichrut 0, Tongogara 2; Blanket Mine 3, Whawha 0; Shabanie Mine 2, ZPC Munyati 1.
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