Galaxy breaks Rollers hoodoo
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday January 14, 2019 18:19
Prior to the game, the two sides had played to three consecutive goalless draws. This was Rollers’s heaviest defeat since the start of last season, and their second of the current campaign.
As early as the ninth minute, Tumisang Orebonye had his effort parried over the bar by Ezekiel Morake which was Rollers’ chance at goal. Rollers kept a lion’s share of the ball for the majority of the half, but failed to break down the opposition defence. The Blues’ patience paid in the 27th minute, when Joel Mogorosi centred for Orebonye. The striker laid for Edwin Moalosi who beat the keeper to the top corner, to give his side the lead. Just nine minutes later, Galaxy levelled matters when Patrick Kaunda caught the opposition defence napping and put a cross for Atisang Batsi who was unmarked inside the box and the midfielder tapped in from close range.
Just five minutes in to the second half, Galaxy capitalised from the Rollers defence’s complacency. Simisane Mathumo unwittingly placed the ball unto Malebye’s path and the attacker beat Wagarre Dikago to the top corner to give his side the lead. The visitors doubled their lead on the hour mark. Once again Kaunda was the provider, this time for Batsi, who tapped in from close range. Four minutes later, substitute Segolame Boy skied his effort from a free kick before Malebye ballooned his strike from just outside the box at the other end.
Rollers squandered another chance at goal when Moyana put in a telling cross for Joel Mogorosi who could only head wide in the 70th minute. Four minutes later, Orebonye saw his low drive go just wide off the post. Galaxy were dealt an injury blow as first half substitute, Wabuya Aebe was stretchered off in 77th minute. He was replaced by Kutlwelo Mpolokang. Morake pulled a superb save to deny Tshireletso in a one-on-one situation with just five minutes to time.Rollers’ interim coach, Thabo slammed his side for a below par performance. “The whole team did not play. Sometimes when things are not alright we should respect the badge. Today we failed to do that,” he said. His Galaxy counterpart, Miguel da Costa was happy to reduce the deficit between them and Rollers to just five points. “We were the better team. We did not understand Rollers’ game. We knew playing them at home was always going to be difficult. We were the better side,” he said.
The Teams:
Rollers: Dikago, Motsholetsi Sikele, Mathumo, Kaone Vanderwesthuizen, Moyana, Ivan Ntege (Boy), Maano Ditshupo, Mothusi Cooper, Moalosi (Kamogelo Matsabu), Mogorosi (Tshireletso), Orebonye
Galaxy: Morake, Isaac Paeye, Sebele (Aebe), Gofaone Molapi, Fortunate Thulare, Lebogang Ditsele, Gilbert Baruti, Malebye (Gape Gaegangwe), Kaunda, Batsi, Thero Setsile, Aebe (Mpolokang)
Cautions: Molapi
Rollers 1 (Moalosi 23rd)
Galaxy 3 (Batsi 32th, 60th), Malebye 50th)