Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. CHICKEN INN…………… 0
SCOTTLAND………….. (1)1
SCOTTLAND FC opened a four-point lead on Simba Bhora as they narrowly beat Chicken Inn in a tightly contested Castle Lager Premier League match at Barbourfields yesterday.
Tymon Machope put Scottland ahead as early as the sixth minute after he was sent through by Khama Billiat, easily slotting the ball past goalkeeper Donovan Bernard.
It was Machope’s 13th goal of the season as he chases for the Golden Boot award, two goals shy of TelOne’s Washington Navaya.
Scottland are now on 59 points and Chicken Inn stutter, remaining on 33 points in the relegation zone.
Coach Tonderai Ndiraya said Scottland are obviously gunning for the championship.
“Why not talk about the title when we are naturally in the running for the title?” he said.
“We are ahead by four points, but of course, Simba Bhora have two games in hand.
“We are at the top, why shouldn’t we talk about the title?
“We are in the race now and hopefully we keep collecting points so that we maintain that position.
“But I’ve always said that in the situation we are in, we are not yet in control of the title race.”
He added: “Simba Bhora have an advantage, if they are going to collect maximum points in the games that they are playing.
“At the moment, we are fighting. We are in it, but we also hope that Simba Bhora will slip up and take advantage of that.”
Chicken Inn fired warning shots early into the game with two clear chances inside the box, but could not do justice to their attack and an appeal for a penalty in the fourth minute was shot down by referee Mhaka Magare.
A loose Machope was spotted once again by Knowledge Musona in the 13th minute, but was quickly dispossessed by Mason Mushore, who cleared the ball away for a corner kick as Scottland mounted pressure.
Another chance for the visitors came in the 27th minute after Billiat dribbled one man in the penalty box, but his blistering effort went wide.
Goalkeeper Nelson Chadya rose above Chicken Inn’s Joseph Tulani and Itai Mabunu to collect a beautiful cross from Brian Muza in the 32nd minute as the GameCocks frantically searched for an equaliser.
In the 41st minute, Scottland skipper wowed the fans when he rounded off four Chicken Inn defenders inside the penalty box, but his attempt at goal was blocked by Marlon Mushonga and the rebound trickled out for a goalkick.
Lynoth Chikuhwa’s header sailed over the crossbar in the first half’s optional time from captain Xolani Ndlovu; another attempt at an equaliser for Chicken Inn before Magare blew to end the first half.
Not to be outdone by Walter Musona, Chikuhwa made a solo move in the 54th minute from outside the box, meandered himself into the box past Scottland defenders, but was thwarted by Chadya as he sought the equaliser for Chicken Inn against his paymasters.
In the 65th minute, Chikuhwa got another opportunity, but sailed his effort over the cross bar with Chadya to beat.
Chicken Inn coach Joey Antipas had this to say as the GameCocks’ survival fight continues with four games to the end of the season.
“We keep on going. The struggle continues,” he said.
If any of the other sides that are fighting relegation, win the afternoon, it’s a big toll for Chicken Inn, who head to Gibbo in their next game against Triangle, who are also fighting the dreaded chop.
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