SCOTTLAND FC . . . . . . . . . . . . (0) 1
HERENTAL COLLEGE FC . . . . . (0) 0
TYMON Machope scored the only goal of the match as Castle Lager Premier Soccer League debutants Scottland claimed their first win in four matches after beating Herentals at Rufaro Stadium yesterday.
The result ensured that Tonderai Ndiraya stretched their unbeaten run to six games, where they have managed two wins and four draws.
Scottland moved up to third place with 16 points from nine points.
Ndiraya was relieved to finally get a win.
“I think it was a difficult game, very difficult and I am very excited that we collected maximum points today after going for about three matches, three consecutive matches with draws,” he said.
“I am very excited that we got maximum points today, but of course, not entirely happy with the performance of the team, especially in the first half.
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“I thought the boys were a bit disinterested, if you ask me. After our talk at halftime, they responded, came back with a bit of urgency until we scored that goal.
“Then, of course, we had to quickly defend that goal until the end and I am happy that we managed to do that.”
Herentals created better chances compared to their much-fancied hosts, with Tino Benza missing a clear-cut chance in the first five minutes
Benza had Herentals fans up their seats again just before the halfway mark of the first half after he flashed his header past the upright post from an Erick Dombo cross.
Later on, Benza’s free kick flew just over late in the first half.
Khama Billiat had the only real chance for Scottland on the stroke of halftime after breaking free on the right side, but shooting straight at The Students’ goalkeeper Tinotenda Takarinda.
Scottland continued to look disjointed early in the second half until a double substitution which saw Ndiraya bring on Vasilli Kawe and Panashe Mutimbanyoka for Lynoth Chikuhwa and Emmanuel Saidi in the 52nd minute.
Five minutes later, Machope gave the hosts the lead, heading home after he was picked out by a Walter Musona headed pass.
Musona could have double the scores in the 73rd minute with a looping cross that bounced off the upright post and back into play.
Herentals piled on the pressure in the final few minutes in search of an equaliser, but failed to breach the Scottland defence.
The hosts had to play four minutes of stoppage time with a man less after defender Peter Muduhwa suffered a concussion following a clash of heads when Scottland had already exhausted their substitutions.
Herentals FC coach Paul Benza was happy with his team’s performance despite the loss.
“It was a good game and we got our chance,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we could not build those chances and we got punished, but generally, I am happy because we were able to contain them.”
Teams
Scottland FC: N Chadya, G Murwira, W Musona (G Madhake, 85’), P Muduhwa, R Pfumbidzai, K Moyo, K Billiat, E Saidi (V Kawe, 52’), L Chikuhwa (P Mutimbanyoka, 52’), T Machope (A Manenji, 70’), F Botchway
Herentals College FC: T Takarinda, K Sangare (P Chama, 74’), T Mupumha ( J Zhuwawu, 74’), E Dombo (E Mweha, 74’), R Kawondera (C Gobvu, 86’), T Benza, B Majarira, B Phiri, W Chimbetu, I Benza (P Mahembe, 46’), M Mukiwa
