19 Apr 2016

Bobonong United and Mthakathi Highlanders shared the spoils in a constituency competition match played at the Bobonong showground on Sunday. So much had been at stake on the day and few chances were created. Highlanders’ attacker, Phetogo Lorato kept on hiting the goal posts several times instead of the back of the net.

Even though he kept on terrorising United’s defence, his chances did not bear fruit in the first half.Part of the first half also saw United enjoying as well as passing the ball neatly from the back to the centre and playing long balls to their striker Sebawana Sebawana to pass the Highlanders defence.

United struggled to penetrate Highlanders defence. In the 20^th minute Highlanders received a free kick, but Dimpho Ntshwabi failed to convert it.Highlanders gifted Morethusi Molosiwa and Ntshwabi looked impressive and it was in the 32^nd minute that Molosiwa scored from Botsang Molothanyi’s corner kick.

But that was also the case with United as the normally feared striker, William Motsamai kept on terrorising Highlanders defence but his chances went astray.Toward half-time United tried to reinforce their attack as they substituted Sebawana and introduced Tefo Dithabelo whose efforts did not bear fruit.After the two sides went into recess with Highlander leading 1-0, they emerged from the second stanza showing greater determination and the game tempo picked up.

Highlanders came with guns blazing and it was evident that what they wanted was a win, and it did not come as a surprise when in the 59^th minute Phetogo Lorato scored from Patrick Oagile’s assist.Even though Highlanders continued to mount pressure on United, United also made good moves forward and their hard work beared fruit in the 76^th minute when Motsamai scored through a low strike.

 Motsamai’s goal changed the flow of the game and Highlanders players started losing balls as well as making a lot of unnecessary mistakes.United received a free kick in the 80^th minute but failed to score.United’s Ephraim Raphala’s equaliser in the 89^th minute leaves the game still open for the second leg clash to be played this weekend.

After the game United coach, Goitseone Kgomo said he was happy with how the game went as his players managed to come from 2-0 down to a 2-2 draw.He said he would not leave any stone unturned as their mission is to win the game in the second leg.

Highlanders coach, Kemiso Mathogojane said in the first half his team were a better side hence they managed to make good moves that caused havoc to the defence. END