MASERU — LDF ended the first half in pole position on the Vodacom Premier League log with a healthy four-point lead ahead of LCS.
The army side is without a title since winning the top prize in 2004 and has been forced to play bridesmaid for the past few years.
However this year the soldiers have started well.
Behind them are defending champions LCS who have not found their consistency yet are clinging onto the coat-tails of LDF.
LDF’s home record, collecting 16 points from a possible 18 this season, has been their strength so far.
Their home record has been key to their success again.
LDF have won five of their six games at their home ground this season.
The only team they were unable to get a win against was Linare in a 0-0 draw in December.
The only team to score at Ratjomose is LCS who did so on the opening day of the season, but Sohle-Sohle still ran out 2-1 winners.
In all LDF have scored nine goals at home and have only conceded one.
The defence has been key to the army side’s success; they kept six consecutive clean sheets.
LCS have won all four of their home games this season.
Such is the competitive nature of the league that there is no team that has a two-match winning streak in the league at the moment.
It means even with LDF’s lead it’s hard to say for certain they will be champions.
Matlama have come back into the picture and have built on their Vodacom Soccer Spectacular success in December.
They have managed four wins and two draws in their last six games.
Tse Putsoa ended their first round with a 2-1 win over traditional rivals Linare at the Setsoto Stadium on Sunday.
Both goals came from the glamour boys’ new find, Jane Thabantšo.
As things stand Matlama are fourth, having been as low as 10th on the log; they are now seven points behind leaders LDF.
The first round has also been significant for the so-called smaller teams. Joy, Maduma and newly promoted Mpharane Celtics all find themselves in the top six.
The backbone to Maduma’s season has been their form at their Khukhune home.
They are the only side, apart from the top two, that has not tasted defeat at home this season.
Maduma have won three and drawn three of their six games in Khukhune and their scalps include giants Linare and Matlama.
