Stonebreakers broken again

Samukele Manzini

League strugglers Mabopane Stonebreakers’ worse, continued on Saturday when they lost 2-1 to Garankuwa FC at the Giant stadium. Both goals for Garankuwa were scored in the opening 20 minutes by midfielder Tshiamo Matshereng and Moerane Tshiamo scored late in the second half for Stonebreakers.

The game was played at a slow pace with both sets of players getting a feel of the ball. The first goal came in the 13^th minute when Stonebreakers’ defence could not keep up with the pace of Matshereng, who beat goalkeeper Thato Nkhumise at his near post. After the goal, the game opened up, with both teams caught offside on several occasions. Matshereng grabbed his brace in the 18^th minute, with a solo run that left Stonebreakers’ defence wanting, Nkhumise could not do anything to deny Matshereng from getting his brace. Both teams played attacking football but the difference was, Garankuwa were able to convert their chances into goals while Stonebreakers strikers lacked a lot of composure and accuracy in the box.

In the 2^nd half, Stonebreakers made their intentions clear, attacking with a lot of purpose. Stonebreakers used the right flank to attack with midfielder Nicholas Mathabane running at defender Obakeng Cebisa, who could not contain the pacey winger. Mathabane found himself in good positions but his decision making and failing to deliver telling crosses let him down. Desperation and frustration started crimping in, for Stonebreakers. With time running out midfielder Phalatse Isaacs was booked for diving. Moerane Tshiamo pulled one back for Stonebreakers to reduce the score to 2-1 but they were unable to level matters in the remaining 7 minutes.