Galaxy, Rollers� Duel Ends In A Draw
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday January 29, 2018 08:50
The defending champions entertained Township Rollers at the Lobatse Sports Complex rather than their usual home ground, Galaxy Stadium, in the first leg of the Mascom Top 8 played yesterday afternoon.
The two sides played to a 2-2 draw.
“We were disadvantaged of course but at the end of the day we knew we had to play, but if we were in Jwaneng we could have settled better than we did here,” Moseki told journalists after the game.
On the pitch, it only took Galaxy eight minutes to open the scoring.
Atisang Batsi beat his marker with skill on the wing, crossed the ball into the box; Patrick Kaunda missed but Gilbert Baruti tucked in from the far post to give his team the lead. Popa levelled the scores just a minute later.
Motsholetsi Sikele pounced on a defensive mix up and slotted at the far post.
In the 11th minute, Galaxy nearly got the lead but the end product of their attack smashed the upright.
The visitors eventually got the lead with a minute to the break as Mosha Gaolaolwe rose highest to head home Segolame Boy’s corner kick.
At the other end, Kaunda was released by Baruti but Keeagile Kgosipula was quick off the blocks to deny him a chance at goal. Popa went into the halftime break with a 2-1 lead.
The second half started at a low tempo as compared to the first. In the 63rd minute, following a good combination by Rollers, Edwin Moalosi failed to find the back of the net with only the goalkeeper to beat as his shot went over the bar.
Two minutes later, he forced a save from Ezekiel Morake after he was released by Sikele with a through ball. Galaxy levelled matters in the 78th minute as Kaunda tapped in from close range after Kgosipula failed to deal with a corner kick.
The two teams threw bodies upfront in search of the winning goal, but failed to find the back of the net as the match ended level.
“This was a very difficult game against Rollers as we had expected it to be. We have played them before and they always give us a hard time.
All in all a draw is a good result. We will take it from here to the second leg,” Moseki said.
His counterpart at Rollers Nikola Kavazovic said he was extremely satisfied with his charges’ display on the day.
“We came here to score and stay unbeaten. We had full domination in opening 55 minutes in ball possession; we had victory in our hands. We had about three chances to win the match,” he said.
Teams:
Galaxy: Ezekiel Morake, Thabo Leinanyane, Moagi Sechele, Tebogo Moroka, Boitumelo Mafoko, Lesego Molemogi, Patrick Kaunda, Olebogeng Malebye (Senatla Molefe), Atisang Batsi (Terrence Mandaza), Gilbert Baruti, Thero Setsile (Botshelo Mafoko)
Rollers: Keeagile Kgosipula, Tshepo Motlhabankwe, Simisane Mathumo, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Edwin Olerile, Ofentse Nato, Maano Ditshupo, Motsholetsi Sikele (Ivan Ntege), Segolame Boy, Lemponye Tshireletso, Edwin Moalosi
Cautions: Mathum, Ditshupo, Nato, Moalosi, Kaunda, Malebye
Goals:
Galaxy 2 (Baruti 8th,
Kaunda 78th)
Rollers 2 (Sikele 9th,
Gaolaolwe 44th)