A man of the match performance by Segolame Boy inspired Township Rollers to a 3-1 victory over traditional rivals Gaborone United in a BTC Premiership match played at the National Stadium on Saturday. In a derby of two halves, the match was timid in the opening period, only to come to life in an eventful second stanza.

GU will feel hard done by the officiating from Kutlwano Leso, the middle man denying the Reds a legitimate penalty appeal when Karabo Phiri was brought down inside the box, a potential turning point in the second half.

In the end it would be two goals from Boy, scored from difficult

angles on both wings of the pitch, and an Alphose Modisaotsile own goal that gave Rollers the win. A Kabelo Seakanyeng scorcher the only response for GU.

Just as the match commenced Bogosi Mfila spurned a gilt edged chance to give Rollers the lead, shooting wide from within sight of the GU goal.

In the 11th minute, Seakanyeng made a good run towards the Rollers goal, but shot wide.

Mfila was set up by a long range Galabgwe Moyana pass, only to hit a timid shot that went past GU goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko, but was easily cleared to safety by the GU rearguard.

A lacklustre first half ended goalless.

The match came alive in the

second half. Boy and Rollers central midfielder, Gape Mohutsiwa as well as the Reds’ Seakanyeng and centre back Godwin Osei Bonsu the standout performers.

A towering header by overlapping GU left back Thatayaone Ditlhokwa forced a save off Rollers goal minder Keeagile Kgosipula early in the second half.

Boy then gave Rollers the lead with a goal from some distance; floating the ball in from the far right wing of the pitch into Phoko’s goal.

In the 64th minute, a Thatayaone ‘Messi’ Kgamanyane effort forced Kgosipula to parry the ball wide with a one handed reflex save.

Tshepo ‘Skhwama’ Matete, who was brought on as a second half substitute for Moyana, released Boy for his second with a sublime side footed pass.

Boy received the ball and closed in on the left wing, and upon spotting Phoko advancing from his line, curled in another long range shot to make it 2-0.

Seakanyeng replied for GU with a majestically struck long range scorcher that flew past Kgosipula to take the derby scoreline to 2-1.

Referee Leso allowed some Rollers rough tackles to go unpunished, but denied GU a legitimate penalty when Phiri was brought down in the box.

A frustrated Dirang Moloi exchanged foul words with Leso,

and the Reds midfielder was sent for an early shower, and GU thus ended the derby with 10 men.

In stoppage time, Boy made his way into the GU danger zone, and his attempted pass to Mthokozisi Msomi was blocked by Modisaotsile who only diverted the ball into his own net to give the match a 3-1 ending in favour of the Blue half of Gaborone.

The result means that with four matches left, top of the table Rollers lead second placed Jwaneng Galaxy by three points.

GU are fifth on the log, the derby their first match without A rgentine coach, Rodolfo Zapata, who is reportedly headed for Kenyan club football. BOPA