UMKHONTO KASHAKA BEAT ‘BULL’ IN U-20 DERBY THRILLER

Highlanders ....................................2
Ali 15th, Nhlanhla 25th
Swallows .........................................4
William 37th, Richard 40th, 48th, Terrence 58th 

LOBAMBA – The PLS Reserve League derby between Mbabane Highlanders and Mbabane Swallows was such a thriller yesterday with the latter winning it 4-2 at the Somhlolo National Stadium as the match set the stage for the main game.

The score is not a true a reflection of the game but in the end, it is Swallows who won while Highlanders were left scratching their heads after missing a host of good chances in the opening minutes of the second half before they suffered a red card blow in the last 10 minutes.

Highlanders, who took to the game to their opponents with some strong wing play, deservedly took the lead in the 15th minute through left winger Ali Frue who who was released by midfielder Melusi ‘Slender’ Dlamini on the left flank.
He dribbled past a defender before shooting past the advancing goalkeeper, shocking Swallows who had started well in the opening five minutes. Then troublesome right winger Nhlanhla ‘Take Me Home Jnr’ Dlamini made it 2-0 in the 25th when he beautifully rounded the last man at the back and toed the ball past a hapless Swallows’ goalkeeper from the six yard box.

However, Swallows were back in the game when they scored from a set-piece taken by William Kunene from the edge of the box, beating Highlanders goalie Thando Manyatsi who had just come on to replace their first choice Phumlani  Motsa.
Just before the break, the impressive but down in this game Richard Macreesh was on target from close range after he capitalised on a defensive blunder caused by lack of communication when it looked so easy to clear a long ball into the area.

Richard made it 3-2 at the start of the second half with another well taken goal which the goalkeeper knew little about as it was curved and powered well wide of him to reach. This was just how thrilling the game was as the goals came with a lot of skill and verve from both sides who enjoyed the big crowd as well.

Highlanders regrouped and started where they had ended in the first half but as the chances kept coming, their strikers lacked the composure in front of goal and missed the target while two good attempts by Ali and midfielder Bhekumuzi Mngometulu were well saved by the Swallows goalkeeper, Goodwill Dlamini.

Then Swallows sealed the match when they found the back of the net through talented winger Martins Terrence but the goalkeeper could have done better here. There was no way back for Highlanders now as they were also one-man short and referee Leticia Viena blew for full-time to mark the end of the match.

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