Defensive frailties let down Malkerns FC

Rovers......................................1(2)

It was two first half goals by midfielder Mcolisi Thole and striker Sabelo Sangweni within a space of five minutes after defensive errors that did the trick for the Gcina Dlamini coached side.

Thole was gifted the ball by the Malkerns defender Thembinkosi Hlanze, as he tried to make a pass within the danger area only for the ball roll halfway to the intended destination and found the scorer waiting to simply finish it with a perfectly placed shot.

The defender, just like his coach Mthunzi Ginindza blamed the pitch’s overgrown turf to have slowed the ball down. Five minutes later, just before the half hour mark, Rovers made it two through Sabelo Sangweni after an interchange of passes by Thole and midfielder Mfanfikile ‘Heshe’ Dlamini inside the area.

After fooling two defenders, Heshe picked the unmarked Sangweni whose job was to slot it home even though his shot was unconvincing, as he almost had it saved.

It was an evenly contested match, which Malkerns dominated in the second half though but poor finishing by their striking force and the lack of aggression before goal cost them. They would have gone into the break with matters at least level at 2-all but their attempts were either wide or cleared by the Rovers defence. While this was not one game with much to write about, Malkerns gave it their best shot before their over 500 fans who cascaded the grandstand normally used by Mbabane Highlanders.

However, Malkerns finally got their consolation goal with about 12 minutes remaining after a defensive lapse at the Rovers rearguard.

It was a long ball into the area and Ndwandwe came out to collect but Maziya was also going for it and this made both players hesitate only for the opponents’ striker Ben ‘Bhenitho’ Dlamini to pounce and shoot past the goalkeeper.

Mcolisi Thole – he was involved in both goals, as he scored the first and created the other in a move with team mate Heshe Dlamini.

This was a game of half chances.

A low cross on the right flank by Malkerns FC went begging, as their striker Oscar Mabuza missed the ball and Rovers survived.

The goal by Sabelo Sangweni was a result of a well oriented move.

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