From the beginning, Rollers played a high-pressure game pushing numbers forward. However, they could not find the breakthrough against resilient Mahalapye based side. Their best chance came in the sixth minute when Joel Mogorosi who was a handful for the Highlanders defence picked Kobamelo Kebaikanye with a cross. He controlled the ball well and set up Segolame Boy who hit the net, but his goal was ruled out. Jerome Louis then combined well with Boy whose powerful drive hit the upright, but Thato Bolweleng’s effort from a rebound went over the bar. Rollers launched another attack with Mogorosi involved again. He took a shot that Leteng Legopelo failed to clear and the ball screwed towards his goalkeeper who made a mess out of it awarding Rollers a goal.
Rollers continued to control the game and had many chances to increase their lead but were wasteful infront of goals. BR Highlanders on the other hand could not link two passes let alone get a shot on target for the entire first half. In the 63rd minute, things looked to be going well for the visitors when Agisanyang Ramaabya made a late challenge on Carl Finnigan and was cautioned. His protest however got him a second yellow card and left BR Highlanders with 10 men on the field.
