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Tobias Mandoreba in Hwange
Hwange ………………. (1) 3

Highlanders …………..0

RELEGATION-threatened Hwange sent out a bold message that they are prepared to move mountains in their quest to avoid the dreaded chop at the end the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season after producing a dazzling performance to thrash Bulawayo giants Highlanders in this encounter played at a cracking pace and in front of bumper crowd at the Colliery yesterday.

The coalminers badly needed maximum points as the relegation matrix gets trickier by the day and the display by the home side yesterday afternoon will give the soccer crazy Hwange community some hope going into the last three games of the season as they now have 34 points from 31 games.

Goals by teenage sensation Delic Murimba (34th minute) and substitutes Justine Kaunda (73rd minute) and Collen Muleya three minutes from time settled matters.

The match was lively from the first whistle by impressive Hwange referee Mhaka Magare as both teams traded punches with Highlanders not playing like a team which had a chaotic build up to the match after their players embarked on an industrial action during the week demanding outstanding wages.

It was Highlanders who almost drew first blood in the 10th minute after some lovely attacking play from the right flank which resulted in midfielder Godfrey Makarutse unleashing a thunderbolt from the edge of the box which drew the best out of the in-form Hwange goalminder Collen Phiri who fisted the stinging effort out for a corner.

The threat jolted Hwange into an immediate response as left back Wilfred Munorwei almost grabbed the opener two minutes later as he latched on a loose ball on the edge of the box and let fly a volley which whistled past the left upright with goalkeeper Nedrick Madeya diving in vain.

The match then livened up with some determined play from both teams before Hwange teenage striker Murimba grabbed the much-needed opener in the 34th minute after the Bosso defence momentarily switched off and allowed a cross from Nathan Ziwini roll to the former who coolly slotted home past a badly exposed Madeya.

Bosso almost went to the breather on level terms but Hwange goalkeeper Phiri was again alert as he denied Adrian Silla from point blank range with a one hand save before impressive defender Crispen Dickson scooped the ball out of danger.

Highlanders came back from half-time super-charged and baying for blood with defender Charlton Siamlonga unleashing a 30-metre pile driver which was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Phiri barely two minutes after restart.

Substitute Justine Kaunda, thrown into the fray for Crybert Muvuti on the hour mark, gave Hwange the cushion goal in the 73rd minute when he latched onto a Ziwini pass to hammer home past Madeya.

Another substitute Muleya put the icing on the cake for Hwange three minutes from time when he combined well with Kaunda, banging home from close range after Madeya had initially parried his glancing header back into play.

Hwange coach Bigboy Mawiwi was all smiles and said relegation factor was not on his mind as he approaches the last three games.

“We are approaching matches in a normal way as there are a number of teams also in the (relegation) equation. The boys have improved and I am happy and this certainly gives us confidence going into the last matches,” Mawiwi said.

Highlanders coach Elroy Akbay was disappointed with the play in general.