19 Jan 2022

 the premier league log with a 2-0 victory over Prisons XI at the Otse Police College on Tuesday afternoon.

A contestable penalty decision led to Rollers’ first goal converted by Kago Monyake early in the second half, but there was little controversy about the second; Tlhalefo Molebatsi’s solid run and finish.

Those two goals scored four minutes apart within the first eight minutes of the second half, gave Rollers their third successive victory under new French coach, Romain Folz.

The hosts, Prisons XI, were solid at the back, packing the midfield in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

The Warders’ sole central striker, Phenyo Molefe was isolated for most periods of the first half.

But Prisons were compact through having five players in the middle of the park; four midfielders deployed in front of anchor Tumo Lebanna, who sat deep to protect the backline.

Their formation made it hard for Rollers, who dominated possession from the onset, to access the Prisons defensive lines.

Popa, despite their neat passing game in midfield, were forced to pump long balls to the wings in order to access the final third.

Prisons goalkeeper, Tshepho Mooketsi was forced to come out of his line to deal with one of those long speculative balls played into the path of Molebatsi.

Mooketsi cleared the danger, and retreated in time to tip over a ball floated in by Segolame Boy from the resultant play.

In the 26th minute, Mooketsi was on hand to parry a Boy long range strike, Monyake converted the rebound but was adjudged to be offside and as such the effort was ruled out.

Early in the second half, Rollers started managing to make forward forays into the Prisons’ danger zone.

In the 48th minute, a penalty was awarded for what seemed to be a 50-50 challenge as Kago Monyake tried to shoot goalward, a Prisons defender blocked his attempt and slight contact was made.

Prisons disputed what they felt was a soft penalty, but Monyake rose to convert the spot kick to break the deadlock.

In the 53rd minute, Molebatsi got on the end of a fluid Rollers attacking move, rounding off opposing goalkeeper Mooketsi, before rolling the ball into an empty net, to make it 2-0 to Rollers.

Prisons were now forced to be more attacking as they chased the game. Molefe saw his attempt go wide of Kabelo Dambe’s goal and later Dambe’s outstretched arm tipped over a well taken Karabo Setoutwe free kick.

Rollers, who had started the day third moved to position two equal on 30 points with third placed Sua Flamingoes, but with a superior goal average.

Prisons remain at position 13 with nine points from 12 games.

In other games from Tuesday, top of the log Gaborone United were held to a 2-2 draw by Morupule Wanderers at the National Stadium.

First round pacesetters, GU at the top of the log on 34 points - four more than Rollers; with the Reds also having a game in hand.

A Thabang Sesinyi brace gave Jwaneng Galaxy a 2-1 win over fellow mining town side Orapa United away at Itekeng.

Masitaoka succumbed to a home 1-0 loss to Sua Flamingoes at the VTM Stadium.

Mogoditshane Fighters managed a 2-1 away win over Mahalapye Railways Highlanders in Serowe, as Notwane and Security Systems shared the spoils 1-1 at Lekidi. ENDS