17 Apr 2016

A 72nd minute header by Segolame Boy ensured that Township Rollers remained at the summit of the log after beating Police XI in the beMOBILE premiership game played at the National Stadium on Saturday.

Should the results be anything to go by, if Popa win their next fixture against Serowe based side Green Lovers, they will be crowned beMOBILE champions.

The game started at a very low tempo and Rollers could have registered an early goal in the third minute after Police, Otsile Batang fouled Edwin Moalosi.

Hardly three minutes after that, Police won a free kick but Katlego Masole failed to make use of the opportunity.

Rollers suffered a major setback in the 10th minute, as they were forced to substitute Moalosi by Sekhana Koko due to an injury he sustained when he was fouled inside the box.

As the game progressed, Rollers put in a lot of pressure, attacking from the wings, but failed to pass the solid defence the by Police.

After the break , both teams returned supercharged, aiming for a goal as they has gone into recess with the scoreboard reading 0-0.

However in the 52nd minute Police was reduced to 10 men after Otsile Batang was sent to an early shower for a second bookable offence. That did not demoralise the Jungle Kings who were also let down but their poor decision making inside the box.

Township Rollers were awarded a free kick which was well taken by Tshepo Motlhabankwe and Boy headed it home to give his side a 1-0 lead.

The goal seemed to have rubbed Police the wrong way, as they were now looking for an equalizer but Rollers read their game plan and denied their opponent to play in the middle of the park.

Equally Rollers created a lot of scoring opportunities but failed to convert them as most of their balls went wide, and the game ended with 1-0.

After the game Rollers coach Mark Harrison said although his players did not put up a great performance, they managed to bag three valuable points which he said were crucial given that they were approaching the summit of the league.

“I think there is a lot of tension out there, but the performance was secondary to points, it takes us another step closer.

Look we have a game against Green Lovers, if we do our business against them, then we are home and dry,” he said.

Police coach Maitumelo Letlamoreng said the players demonstrated a fighting spirit, given that there were playing with Township Rollers which was currently at the summit of the log.

He said even though they were one man down, the players showed a lot of maturity in the pitch “I believe if my player was not send out we could have done something positive,” he said. ENDS