GU overcome Gunners

Calistus Kolantsho | Monday December 16, 2013 15:18

The game started with Gunners trying slightly dominating proceedings but were thwarted by young goalkeeper, Goitseone Phoko.

Phoko was making his Premier League debut. GU did not take the threats lying down and Kgololo Kgogobi made the first attempt at goal in the 16th minute. Gunners goalkeeper, Moatlhodi Ndana pulled a save. GU had another chance to score through Tebogo Sembowa in the 27th minute but Gunners defence was able to clear the danger.

Despite an early positive approach by Gunners, they faded towards the middle of the first half which saw them being easily dispossessed. Coach Mike Sithole sensed the danger and brought in Thagiso Mathews to replace Letlhogonolo Mosala to try and stabilise the midfield.

However GU took the lead through Kgogodi with two remaining remaining before halftime. Kgogobi, a former Gunners player beat Ndana with a header. Gunners were awarded a set piece outside the goal area but failed to hit the back of the net. It did not take long before Mathews equalised with a long range shot in the last minute of the first half. In the second half, Gunners continued pushing for a winning goal. In the 57th minute, Monageng Thaele and Mponang Mponang had an opportunity to score, but instead they wasted time and GU defence was able to recover and clear danger. Mponang's attempt on the 70th minute ballooned over the cross bar.

Jomo Moatlhaping who was introduced in the 79th minute, had a chance to score but his shot missed the target by a whisker. Kabo Rasuping extended GU's lead in the 81st minute.

Gunners' coach, Sithole told The Monitor Sport in a post match interview that he is happy with how his players fared in the match. He said that he is building a team for the next season and the main thing at the moment is to avoid relegation. Sithole said he found the team languishing at the bottom of the log and he will work hard to change that position. 

Major David Bright of GU said dropping points is normal in football and it would be surprising to have a team that wins all their matches.

Bright said they have collected 30 points and that is a good thing to wind the first round. He said he is happy with the display by Phoko's performance in his Premier League debut.