Albert Andiseni-Mashingaidze
The highly anticipated Midlands Derby between Telone Football and F.C Platinum kicked off at Ascot Stadium with both teams eager to make their mark before the national duty.
The match ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for F.C platinum, solidifying their position in the league standings.“From the first whistle, it was clear that both teams were eager to assert their dominance.
In the opening five minutes, Telone’s star player, Washington Navaya, made his presence felt with a powerful shot that tested the F.C. Platinum goalkeeper.
The early attempt set the tone for what would be an action-packed match.“As the game progressed, F.C. Platinum began to find their rhythm, enjoying better possession in the 13th minute.
They controlled the ball effectively, probing for openings in the Telone defense. However, it was Washington Navaya who continued to shine, breaking through the defense in the 20th minute.
He connected perfectly with a through pass from Tawanda Macheke, but his shot went wide, much to the relief of the F.C. Platinum supporters.“The 21st minute saw Selamani make a daring run inside the box, only to be thwarted by a resolute Telone defense.
In a one-on-one situation, Selamani’s attempt was blocked, showcasing the defensive prowess of Telone as they rose to the occasion.
The tension in the stadium was tense as both teams fought for control.
“As the first half drew to a close, Washington Navaya flicked a clever pass to Leeroy Murape inside the 18-yard box in the 41st minute.
Unfortunately for Telone, Murape’s attempt went wide, leaving the score line unchanged. The players headed into the halftime break with the match still hanging in the balance.
The second half began with a flurry of activity.
In the 48th minute, Navaya had another opportunity to score, heading the ball from close range.
However, Telone’s defense was alert, and they managed to clear the danger just in time. It was a moment that could have changed the course of the match.“
As the game wore on, a slip at the back for Telone F.C proved costly. F.C Platinum capitalized on the mistake, and in the 65th minute, they found the back of the net, sending their fans into a frenzy.
The goal was a result of relentless pressure and determination, showcasing F.C Platinum’s ability to seize opportunities when they arose.
After the match, both coaches shared their thoughts on the encounter.
F.C Platinum’s coach Norman Mapedza expressed pride in his team’s performance, stating, “It was a good game of football, if you look at our first half we had good opportunities and this is what has been happening in most of our games but I the second half we came a little bit more strong again and managed to score 1 goal again, telone did not trouble us today because they have not lost a home game so far this season.”
“On the other hand, Telone F.C coach Herbert Maruwa lamented the missed chances, saying, Our first defeat at home, we tried everything to get a goal but it wasn’t our day as we conceded a soft goal. But I am happy the way we responded in the second half after we conceded a goal we were going forward and needed to make sure we drew.”
As the players left the pitch, the atmosphere at Ascot Stadium was electric, with Telone celebrating a hard-fought victory.
The Midlands Derby had once again lived up to its reputation, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next clash between these two fierce rivals.
With F.C. Platinum currently sitting in eighth place and Telone struggling at last place, the league standings are sure to shift as the season progresses.
