Likhopo………………..(1) 2
Mphatlalatsane…….(0) 0
MASERU – Two goals either side of halftime from Mokone Marabe and Salebone Lekhooa were enough to earn Likhopo a 2-0 victory over Mphatlalatsane on Sunday. On a rain soaked Central Prison pitch Likhopo dominated throughout for a comfortable win.
Coming off the back of a four match winning streak Mphatlalatsane were expected to present a better account of themselves. Instead it was Likhopo who were on top the probing of their midfielders and the pace of Thapelo Tale upfront causing problems for the visitors defence.
The conditions did not help the visitors either and in the 30th minute they came to the fore. Tale’s skidding long range shot was only parried by Mphatlalatsane keeper Tatiea Tejane into the path of Marabe who easily made it 1-0.
The second half was much the same. Despite their obvious need for a goal the side from St Monica’s did not pose any attacking threat, instead man of the match Tale was brought down by Tsepo Hlojeng in the 75th and the resultant penalty was calmly slotted away by Lekhooa.
Likhopo coach Bishop Molatoli was happy with the win.
“I’m delighted we played great passing football today and I feel we were the better side.
“Even when we were not winning I was happy with the team, they have been playing great football,” said Molatoli
Mphatlalatsane coach Khethang Ntsoerene was at pains to explain the loss.
“We didn’t play well and they deserved to win. We weren’t able to play according to our game plan,” said Ntsoerene.
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“We haven’t been conceding goals lately but I think we lost because of the change we made at the back. We usually play Tsabo (Tsiu) at right back today we were playing Tlou Nthinya who is left footed. That really hurt us,” he said.
The win lifts Likhopo up to eighth while Mphatlalatsane stay sixth.
Meanwhile LDF went back to the top of the league with a 2-1 win over Lerotholi earlier in the day. Goals by Lire Phiri and Mojela Letsie were enough to overturn Mojalefa Tsoeu’s solitary goal for the visitors.
“We know we have to play very well and we know that we need to keep on winning games with the form of Lioli,” he said.
“I thought we played very well, we passed the ball well and I’m very pleased,” he said.
At Ratjomose relegation Naughty Boys scraped a valuable point at in-form LMPS with a 1-1 draw.
In Butha-Buthe LCS overcame Butha-Buthe Roses in an incident filled encounter. Goals from Ralekoti Mokhahlane (2), Rankara Thabane and Mpitsa Marai gave LCS a thrilling 4-3 victory.
Games between Majantja/Joy and Linare/Rovers were called off because of waterlogged pitches while the Matlama/Lioli clash was abandoned due to rain.
Results:
Likhopo 2-0 Mphatlalatsane
Lerotholi 1-2 LDF
LMPS 1-1 Naughty Boys
Likhopo 2-0 Mphatlalatsane
Butha-Buthe Roses 3-4 LCS
Top scorers
Ralekoti Mokhahlane (LCS) 11
Lire Phiri (LDF) 10
Thabane Rankara (LCS) 9
Nkosi Tshabalala (Joy) 7
League table
|
No. |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
|
1 |
LDF |
16 |
12 |
3 |
1 |
28 |
5 |
23 |
39 |
|
2 |
Lioli |
15 |
11 |
3 |
1 |
32 |
8 |
24 |
36 |
|
3 |
LCS |
16 |
10 |
5 |
1 |
43 |
16 |
27 |
35 |
|
4 |
LMPS |
16 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
19 |
15 |
4 |
28 |
|
5 |
Matlama |
15 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
17 |
10 |
7 |
24 |
|
6 |
Mphatlalatsane |
16 |
6 |
6 |
4 |
12 |
11 |
1 |
24 |
|
7 |
Joy |
15 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
23 |
16 |
7 |
22 |
|
8 |
Likhopo |
16 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
16 |
12 |
4 |
21 |
|
9 |
Swallows |
15 |
5 |
4 |
6 |
12 |
15 |
-3 |
19 |
|
10 |
Lerotholi |
16 |
5 |
4 |
7 |
18 |
23 |
-5 |
19 |
|
11 |
Rovers |
15 |
4 |
4 |
7 |
11 |
17 |
-6 |
16 |
|
12 |
Linare |
15 |
4 |
3 |
8 |
18 |
23 |
-5 |
15 |
|
13 |
Naughty Boys |
16 |
2 |
5 |
9 |
14 |
30 |
-16 |
11 |
|
14 |
BB Roses |
16 |
2 |
5 |
9 |
14 |
31 |
-17 |
11 |
|
15 |
Majantja |
15 |
1 |
5 |
9 |
3 |
20 |
-17 |
8 |
|
16 |
S Young Stars |
15 |
1 |
3 |
11 |
5 |
33 |
-28 |
6 |