Mogorosi's Hat-trick Buries Sankoyo
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday September 24, 2018 13:34
Rollers’ win extended Sankoyo’s winless streak to five games, as they remain rooted at the bottom of the log table having conceded 12 goals.
On the field, it was the visitors who had a first sight at goal with Gosaitse Manuel trying Wagarre Dikago from outside the box, but the keeper calmly collected on the sixth minute.
The league champions started to find their feet in the game, on the 12th minute after receiving a through ball from Mogorosi. Tumisang Orebonye beat his marker and tried from a tight angle, but his effort went wide.
Four minutes later, Mogorosi was set up by Thatayaone Ditlhokwe with a pinpoint cross. The striker buried from the far post to give Popa the lead.
The visitors swiftly responded with Oabile Bathusi connecting well to William Sithole’s cross and beat Dikago to the near post on the 19th minute.
With five minutes to the break, Mothusi Cooper freed Mogorosi with a through ball, but the striker could only shoot straight into the hands of the keeper as the two teams went into the break level at 1-1.
From the start of the second half, it was the home side that controlled the play as they enjoyed the lion’s share of the ball possession while Ngurungu sat back and looked for a counter attack.
Popa eventually took the lead with Boy beating the keeper to the top corner with a beautifully taken free kick in the 60th minute.
Two minutes later, Orebonye scored but was ruled for an offside and that was his last kick in the game as Kamogelo Matsabu who made his debut from the bench replaced him.
It took eight minutes for the South African winger to make an impact as he twisted and turned the defender inside the box, but was let down by his finish as he hit the woodwork.
Seven minutes to time, Matsabu was brought down inside the box and the referee gave a penalty.
Mogorosi stepped up and beat the keeper to make it 3-1.
On the brink of regulation time, Mogorosi completed his hat-trick when he, despite being sandwiched by two defenders, rose high to head home substitute Boyo Lechaena’s free kick.
“We had set out to attack Sankoyo from the start, but in the first half they worked hard to frustrate us, forcing us to play uncharacteristic long balls. We lacked creativity in that first half. In the second half, we made some tactical changes. We managed to get three more goals to make it 4-1 and we are happy with the result,” Rollers’ assistant coach Leutlwetse Tshireletso said after the game.
His counterpart, Gadimang Tiiso blamed their poor performance on the lack of depth in the squad and below par preseason preparations.
The Teams
Rollers: Dikago, Jackson Lesole, Simisani Mathumo, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Ditlhokwe, Kago Monyake (Matsabu), Maano Ditshupo, Cooper, Mogorosi, Boy (Lechaena), Orebonye (Galabye Moyana)
Sankoyo: Kabelo Kuti, Lucas Mothata, Onkarabile Ratanang, Refilwe Senyane, Bonolo Tukula, Pritchard Masawi, Bathusi, Kabo Matlhare, William Sithole, Pontsho Sephutho, Gosaitse Manuel
Cautions: Matlhare, Tukula
Rollers 4 (Mogorosi 16th, 83rd, Boy 60th)
Sankoyo 1 (Bathusi 19th)