Notwane's Inexperience Expose Them

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Monday April 19, 2010 00:00

 

Pako Moloi had opened the score in the 15th minute forcing a mistake from Nkosinathi Dube before hitting a low ball past David Puso in ECCO City goal.

A minute after that, Michael Bulaya failed to increase Toronto's lead after catching Keabetswe Janamiso and Dube off guard after combining with Langson Sichola from the left. The young Notwane side showed a lot of determination especially in the first half keeping the opponents busy and defending in large numbers but it was clear on several occasions that they needed leadership on the park as they committed silly mistakes which the opponents failed to fully exploit.

Midway through the first half, ECCO managed to soak pressure and started competing but towards the end of the first half, Notwane came back strong into the match asking all the questions while their experienced opponents had to defend every now and then. Sichola came agonisingly close with only five minutes before the half time break but the Zambian watched as his shot went narrowly past the right post with the keeper well beaten.

 Toronto were back on fire in the opening minutes of the second half  with Moloi making a run on the left to supply Sichola in the middle but the Zambian shot straight at the keeper with plenty of options. ECCO were unlucky in the 50th minute when Lemogang Moswena surprised them with a powerful shot which hit the post before bouncing on to play.

Unfortunately, the resultant counter attack provided Patrick Lenyeletse with his chance to level the score for ECCO and increase his goal tally.

The skilful player was back with his magic in the 63rd minute starting a clever move on the right exchanging passes with Sichola and Moloi who laid a perfect pass but Moswena's last delivery did not trouble ECCO goalkeeper. From then on ECCO were back into contention as Malepa Bolelang who had been quite for almost the entire afternoon started to get more involved.

With only 10 minutes left, Notwane's youngsters started pressing their opponents once again and in the 81st minute Bulaya capitalised on Ontse Ntesa's weak clearance to make it 2-1 for Notwane.

The few Notwane fans in attendance had been shouting unpleasant words at coach Luke Masomere but at that stage they seemed to believe that their team was going to come out with maximum points.

But this seemed to spur ECCO into attacking with a lot of aggression and Mandlaenkosi Sibanda managed to expose the young defence but his shot missed by inches with the goalkeeper Moabi Tshephe out of sorts. Three minutes before full time, ECCO were awarded a corner and Bolelang's low header gave Tshephe no chance for ECCO's equaliser.

Balekanye Mbutho who came on for Master Masiko late in the second half repaid his coach's faith in him with a late winner to sink Notwane deeper into the relegation zone.