Heavy rains could not slow Support Battalion as they beat Silver Strikers Reserve 1-3 in CRFA Chipiku Premier Division League match played Wednesday at Nankhaka Stadium.
The Temwa Msuku side was 1-2 up at half time as Silver Strikers Reserve failed to adapt at a water lodged ground.
Brown James opened the scores just after 10 minutes when he tapped in a fine pass in the box from Blessings Gwazamtini.
It took just three minutes for the hosts to equalize through Clever Kalambo who headed in a Aaron Namacha’s cross from the right.
The Young Bankers had an opportunity to take the lead after 20 minutes of play when referee Chabengeri Pilato awarded them a penalty after handball incident by captain Albert Katuli, but Lasuli Jali who took the responsibility was denied by Support Battalion goalie Benjamin Nsaku.
Two minutes later, Support Battalion got back into the lead courtesy of Lumbani Mkandawire’s strike.
Drama continued to take centre stage after the playing surface was very slippery and chances became scarce until halftime.
Despite the rains stopping in the second half but the game continued to be sloppy as both side opted for kick and rush play.
Support Battalion could have made it 1-3 at 73 minutes but Edwin Sadic was denied a chance to score from the spot by Silver Strikers Reserve goalkeeper Dennis Chilala.
With just seconds to go inside the five added minutes, Blessings Gwazamtini came with the last goal that ensured a 1-3 win and maximum points for the Support Battalion.
“It was a very good game, we’ve seen good football from both sides. Our opponents played well in early minutes of the first half, they were first on the ball but dropped their level of intensity in the second half so we captalized on their weaknesses” said Support Battalion coach Temwa Msuku
Msuku also believes rains had an impact on the result.
“You don’t need to pass too much when it’s raining, the best way is just kick and rush system so we tried to use aerial balls unlike our opponents who wanted to play passing game”
With a win, Support Battalion has moved from seventh to sixth with 33 points and they are remaining with a game to wind up their assignments.
In his remarks Silver Strikers Reserve coach Macdonald Yobe whose team has finished their games and ensured third place finish with 44 points in the bag believes ground conditions contributed to their loss.
“It was a good game though we lost as you already saw it was raining and i can’t say much, we missed a lot of chances, they utilized their’s but that’s how the game goes like sometimes”
In another match, bottom side Mangoni Warriors has defeated Kamuzu Barracks Reserve 2-0 at Waiyatsa Ground.
Zefaniya Jamu and Yosef Mtiki were on target for the hosts but the win could not take them anywhere as they remain bottom with 11 points.
On the other hand, Kamuzu Barracks Reserved have finished second from the bottom with 16 points.
The last fixture produced highest number of goals as Luanar FC thumped Leyman Panthers 0-8.
Abdul Razack scored a hat trick, while Themba Malinda and Macdonald Kachiwanda scored a brace each and the other goal was scored by Austin Matola.
The result has helped Luanar FC to maintain fifth position as they completed the season with 33 points while Leyman Panthers who also finished their 2023 tasks sits eighth on standings with 21 points.
