By McGeorge Mbare
Superstrikers FC 3-0 Vhembe Stars Academy
VHEMBE Stars Academy’s hopes of escaping relegation suffered another blow after they were thrashed 3-0 by Superstrikers FC in Matchday 28 of the Central Region Soccer League Division One at Phelandaba Stadium on Thursday.
The defeat leaves the Beitbridge based side deep in relegation trouble, with only six matches remaining in the campaign.
The two league debutants went into the fixture determined to collect maximum points as they continued their battle for survival.
The match burst into life from the opening whistle, with Superstrikers’ Moyo Gallard coming close to breaking the deadlock as early as the third minute, but his effort went wide.
Vhembe Stars Academy struggled to respond to the early pressure and Superstrikers eventually found the breakthrough in the seventh minute when a superb strike left Vhembe goalkeeper Tony Saunyama rooted to the spot.
Superstrikers continued to dominate possession after taking the lead, controlling the tempo and putting the Beitbridge side under sustained pressure.
The Gwanda based side maintained their advantage until the halftime break, going into the interval with a 1-0 lead.
At the start of the second half, Vhembe Stars Academy introduced Peace Makuvaza for Tadyanemandu Denzel in an attempt to change the tempo and strengthen their attack.
However, the substitution failed to produce the desired impact as Superstrikers continued to control proceedings.
Superstrikers doubled their advantage in the 69th minute, putting themselves firmly in control at 2-0.
A few minutes later, Vhembe Stars Academy were forced into another change when defender Titus Nyakura suffered an injury and was replaced by Lesley Dube.
During the dying minutes of the match, Superstrikers were awarded a penalty, which Gallard calmly converted to complete the 3-0 victory.
The penalty was conceded by Patrick Kelly Muleya after he dived in an attempt to catch the ball, leaving Vhembe Stars Academy facing an even bigger deficit.
The defeat leaves Vhembe Stars Academy in the relegation zone with just six matches remaining in the season.
A win for Superstrikers saw them moving to 29 points , putting them seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Poor defending and a lack of composure after conceding appeared to cost Vhembe Stars Academy dearly, as Superstrikers capitalised on their mistakes to secure a convincing victory.