Green Lovers off the mark in First Division
Olefile Serokolo | Tuesday October 17, 2017 12:14
They went into the Saturday game seeking redemption. It was the host Real Movers who settled the quickest and eventually launched an attack in the seventh minute, which resulted in a goal. Former Sankoyo Bush Bucks and Nico United striker, Vincent Marumo collected the ball in the middle of the park.
He laid the ball to the right wing where it found Keith Leposo who forced himself into the Green Lovers danger area before directing past the rooted Lovers goalkeeper. Marumo came close to doubling the lead on the 16th minute, but his effort hit the crossbar with the visitor’s goalkeeper well beaten.
In the 25th minute, the hosts surged further ahead through Marumo. Green Lovers defence failed to clear an easy ball in the 18 area and Marumo pounced and buried to the far right corner.
The Selebi-Phikwe giants enjoyed possession with nice interchanges. In the 37th minute, the visitors reduced the deficit through Innocent Thobosi.
The goal unsettled the hosts’ defence and it was not surprising to see Lovers restore parity a minute before the break through Rebaone Modisaotsile’s header. After the break, the visitors began to see much of the ball and controlled the game well.
Their efforts were rewarded after 65 minutes when Real Movers goalkeeper, Ernest Toteng made a silly mistake by fisting into play an easy effort and Edwin Tshimologo capitalised to give the visitors the lead.
Real Movers were reduced to 10 men after 70 minutes after referee Joshua Bondo gave Patrick Ngwako a straight red card for stepping on Modisaotsile. Green Lovers coach, Othusitse ‘Chips’ Kootswele said tactically they failed to execute their plan, which is why they were forced into early substitution, which paid dividends in the end.
Kootswele noted that the team he is using has a totally different crop of players than the one, which was in the premier league. Real Movers’ Keleneetswe Leposo said excitement got the better of his players when they were two goals up, which resulted in them losing concentration.