07 Nov 2017

Mahalapye United Hotspurs increased their points tally to four in a home win against Maphatshwa on November 4.

A brace by Mogomotsi Tlou gave the home team maximum points and improved their position in the Debswana First Division North log standing.

It was a battle of bottom of the log teams, as they both came into the game with one point from four matches; a point each after losing three of their past four league encounters.

The home team came into the game focused on getting maximum points by scoring on the second minute of the game.

Tlou converted a header from a resultant corner kick.

The striker stretched the lead with a second goal and ultimately assured Hotspurs the much anticipated three points on the 68th minute of the game.

As the home team got an early lead, Maphatshwa continued with its attack only to squander completing positive moves.

The game was more of a pendulum swing as both teams exchanged fire evenly by launching quick attacks.

In a post-match interview, Maphatshwa assistant coach, Lepetela Ramokgalagadi said poor officiating demoralised his players and influenced the outcome of the game.

Ramokgalagadi said the referee failed to award his team obvious penalties on two occasions as his strikers were fouled.

"The officials destroyed the tempo of the game," he said.

Ramokgalagadi has noted an unusual behaviour by some match officials with a norm of taking decisions that disadvantaged visiting teams.

Despite poor officiating, Ramokgalagadi said his players fought as a team and were eager to get positive results from the match but failed to convert obvious goal scoring chances.

Despite failing to convert, the team equally failed to contain the attacks of their opponent and conceded easy goals which resulted from trivial mistakes by the defence.

“Our goal keeper also struggled with high balls and crosses,” he said.

However, Ramokgalagadi hailed his players for a brave fight against all odds as they gave it their all and fought to the end.

“We matched our opponents and we were keen to register our first win and improve our standing on the log,” he added.

Ramokgalagadi remained optimistic that the Serowe outfit would soon strike a winning formula and ascend to a respectable position.

So far, Maphatshwa have only registered a point in five league matches.

He said the team failed to register experienced players to beef up the squad prior to the start of the season.

However, Ramokgalagadi is hopeful that the young and dedicated players would help the team sustain the league before it becomes late.

Meanwhile, Hotspurs manager Abel Lebopo said the team was steadily adjusting as reflected by the positive outcome of the game.

He said due to other commitments, the players at some instances failed to train as a team.

However, Lebopo said despite the poor start, the team is performing well and is still in contention of top spot.

Lebopo said failing to engage the team prior to start of the season also contributed to their poor start.

He said the players were beginning to strike a combination that would yield positive results.

He noted that their weekend encounter with Maphatshwa was a stern test as they faced a tough and optimistic opponent fighting to move from the bottom of the log.

He said the win boosted the morale of the players.

After the weekend encounters in the Debswana First Division North league, Maphatshwa and Hotspurs still occupy the last two spots at the bottom of the log.

Maphatshwa is patched at position 12 with a point, while Hotspurs are on position 11 with four points as Francistown City Greens, which is on the 10th spot. ENDS