Posted on February 06, 2012 11:31
Free State Stars proved too good for Lesotho Correctional Services when the two sides met in a friendly match on Saturday, 4 February 2012.
'Ea Lla Koto' met Masheshena, as the Lesotho outfit is affectionately known, at the Setsoto Stadium located in the country's Capital City, Maseru.
Playing on an artificial turf the visitors started the game in a low gear with the host persistently taking shots at goals.
A silly mistake in the 7th minute by defender Soriola Gege nearly resulted in a goal. However, keeper Ayanda Mtshali’s acrobatic reflexes ensured that he made a fine save. A minute later, defender Phumlani Mhamha tapped home Dove Wome's cross to open the score sheet.
Two minutes later, 'Ea Lla Koto' piled up the pressure and were rewarded when the club’s leading goalscorer Edward Manqele cleverly curled the ball to beat the advancing keeper.
Halfway through the first stanza an impressive solo effort by Ayanda Gcaba almost resulted in a goal, but his shot was desperately cleared off the line by a Masheshena defender.
On the stroke of half time the home side missed a clear cut opportunity to reduce the deficit with Stars keeper Mojalefa Hlahatsi well beaten.
Stars continued where they had left off in the first half making use of their wings effectively and they almost grabbed the third goal. However, Daniel Agbagwu was a fraction of a second late to connect with a telling cross by Tshidiso Mosikili.
Against the run of play, the home side reduced the deficit through midfielder Ralekoti Mokhatlane, who unleashed a powerful shot to beat the keeper. Following the goal, the home side gained momentum and persistently knocked on Stars’ goal, albeit failing to hit the target on many occasions.
But their efforts were later rewarded when substitute Diego Brown pulled one back. He unleashed a powerful shot that gave the keeper no chance after he was fouled outside the penalty box.
The final score was 3- 1 to Ea Lla Koto.