GNT, Hotspurs share spoils

Shingirai Madondo | Monday December 15, 2014 15:18

Hotspurs got onto the score sheet first after a Goabaone Segaise strike in the 11th minute. The home side then replied in the 73rd minute with a lame incursion from Barulaganye Radiakanyo following a goalmouth melee. It was a reward for GNT, who in the second half were unleashing an onslaught following a quiet first-half. GNT played like a dedicated side in the second stanza, but were unable to punish their visiting counterparts. Both sides have themselves to blame for not collecting maximum points.

The two sides had fair chances in the game of two halves played on a windy Saturday afternoon. The home side did not bother the Hotspurs defense that was manned by former Township Rollers stalwart in Oageng Raditsebe. Probably due to lack of match fitness, Radiakanyo, who led the strike force failed to click in the first half. Forgotten midfielder Mothibedi Tichana was not at his best in the middle of the park.

He could not provide those telling passes and was forced to play deep as their opponents pressed them hard throughout the first half.

In the 11th minute, the home side were caught off guard and Segaise slotted the ball past the advancing David Puso, in between the GNT sticks. The former ECCO City Greens goalkeper misjudged the speed of the opponent’s striker.

After the goal, Hotspurs tried in vain to come up with another magic of finding the back of the net. And the home was not all that threatening to the visitors until half time. They went for the breather with the visitors enjoying a one goal advantage.

From the break, the expectation was that Edward Leposo of GNT and his charges will show some determination.

But it was not to be. GNT continued with their uninspiring approach until the 73rd minute. GNT’s tricky winger Reetsang Pholoa made a dashing run into the penalty box and unleashed a shot that was blocked by a forest of legs, only to fall into the goal-hungry foot of Radiakanyo who did not disappoint.  But that was the end. Either of the sides made efforts to increase the goal tally as they seem content with the draw.