Love Reaching Community (LRC) FC maintained their winning momentum in the ANLFA U15 league with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Gunners FC on June 14, at the Altrec Sports Centre in Alexandra.

While they went home with three points, LRC coach Bandile Isaac Thindleni admitted the performance fell short of his expectations, especially after the team’s 6-0 win against Amavula-vala FC in their previous outing.

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Ahead of the game, Thindleni was determined to replicate that ruthless form. He instructed his side to commit more players forward while maintaining balance with quick-thinking defenders. Knowing their opponents well from sharing the same training fields, LRC focused on their strengths.

“In terms of game tactics, we were very vigilant and had to make sure that we beat them with our own strength, which is to run,” Thindleni explained.

That approach was clearest on the right flank, where LRC repeatedly whipped dangerous crosses into the penalty area. Yet the first half proved frustratingly goalless, a tense, dragging affair that kept both coaches on edge as neither side could break the deadlock despite several promising moments.

But in the second half, Banele Mkhobeni sliced through the Gunners’ defence to open the scoring, giving LRC a 1-0 lead. Still, they continued to press, dominating possession in attacking areas and creating repeated threats on the right.

This eventually paid off when Thapelo Mathabatha also got a clear chance, rounded the keeper, and calmly slotted home to make it 2-0.

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Gunners, to their credit, refused to surrender. Even trailing by two goals, they pushed men forward and carved out opportunities, with several efforts coming dangerously close.

Their determination finally bore fruit when Karabo Manaka tested the LRC goalkeeper and found the net, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and setting up a nervy finish.

Despite the victory, Thindleni was measured in his assessment. While he welcomed his team’s victory, he felt that they left goals out on the pitch and struggled to fully impose themselves as they had in the previous match.

Now, as they head back to training, Thindleni said he will have to iron out the shortcomings and sharpen their execution.

“We have to now fix our ball rotation, our first touches, and game awareness. Those are the things that beat us today, especially compared to the game we played last time.”

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