Wasteful GU held by Miscellaneous

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Monday November 29, 2010 00:00

It was the third consecutive drawn game for the Reds following  stalemates against Township Rollers and  Centre Chiefs.

The Reds could have won the game by a wide margin had they converted their chances upfront. After fluffing several scoring opportunities, Ledikwe latched onto a ball to score after an attempt to clear by a Miscellaneous' defender deflected on Ronald Chikomo before rolling onto his path. The 30th minute goal gave the hosts a fully-deserved lead after dominating play in the opening stages of the game. But despite the home side continuing to be in full control of the game, the Serowe outfit held on until the break.

After the breather, the visitors came back a rejuvenated side and played some purposeful football, at least for ten minutes. On the other hand, GU seemingly rested on their laurels after the opening goal.

The Premiership newcomers were duly rewarded seven minutes into the second half when Gookeditswe Kanyevu sent in an inviting cross after Senjoba had left his goal line in an effort to go and clear the ball. Mfila made no mistake as he nodded home.

But GU, who later started flying out of the blocks, will live to rue the numerous wasted chances. Strikers Stephen Maposa and Chikomo were the main culprits as they took turns to ruffle scoring opportunities. Maposa could have opened GU's scoring account as early as the fourth minute after Gabriel Bukhutlo flighted a beautiful cross into the box.

Maposa's header was saved by the visitors' goalkeeper Letlhogonolo Selebogo. A minute later, GU were back in the Miscellaneous box, but Maposa's header missed the target by a few inches.

The visitors only made their first attempt at goal 15 minutes into the game when Emmanuel Thakadu shot from outside the penalty area but were denied by GU goalkeeper Kgosietsile Senjoba.

In the 35th minute, Maposa could have scored but his well-timed shot hit the cross bar before rolling back into play. GU continued their script of a tale of missed chances. They only showed urgency towards the end of the second half but were let down by their wasteful strikers.

In a post-match interview, GU coach Mike Sithole expressed disappointment saying they could have scored an avalanche of goals. His opposite number, Teenage Mpote, was excited about the result. 'GU is a big team and I am happy with the result,' Mpote said. Kanyevu, who played the game of his life, attributed his five-star performance to self-belief.

Team Line-upsGU: Senjoba, Gobonyeone Selefa, Bokhutlo, Tshepo Molefe (Mandla Mgadla 86), Given Mpundu, Chikomo, George Ohilwe, Maposa (Wellington Maposa 69), Ledikwe (Thebe Maiketso 46), Kabo Molokwane,Thabang DiraMiscellaneous: Selebogo, Boldwin Kgomo, Letlhogonolo Morake, Jeremiah Ranthotuna, Kelepile Terata, Boshe Kesalope, Samuel Phiri, Kanyevu, Keitumetse Lelebanye (Joe Silas 62), Mfila, Thakadu

Cautions: Selefa 17, Silas 73, Phiri 75Man Of The Match: Gookeditswe Kanyevu