Alex Royal Tigers FC banked maximum points on Sunday after a 4-0 win over Alex Winter Rose FC in an Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association (ANLFA) U15 fixture at Altrec Sports Complex.

The first half suggested a tightly contested affair as both sides shared possession and struggled to break through in the final third. But that soon changed when Ngalava Makondo fired the Tigers into an early lead, giving his side the platform to build on.

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WInter Rose pushed for a response but could not find a way past the Tigers’ defence, while Tigers continued to press their advantage. Makondo struck again, converting a free-kick to put his side 2-0 up.

From there, the Tigers were the more threatening side; they pushed forward with far greater regularity than their opponents and kept trying their luck, although some shots went off target.

Winger Inam Gcolotela was a persistent threat down the right flank. He linked up well and delivered the ball into dangerous areas, though his teammates were unable to convert the service into clear-cut chances.

Lesego Mokgobi also came close from the left flank, but the Winter Rose goalkeeper Daniel Mabilo was quick off his line to smother the danger and clear the ball from the penalty area.

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Winter Rose’s backline, marshalled by Sbani Base and Tshepang Montwedi, fought hard to keep the Tigers at bay, doing well to limit the influence of Neo Kgoele and Lesedi Mogale in the final third.

But the resistance eventually broke, though, as Makondo completed his brace of free-kicks with a third goal, putting the result beyond doubt.

The Tigers kept up the pressure, and Didintle Podile got in on the act late on, beating goalkeeper Mabilo to round off a 4-0 victory.

Royal Tigers coach Sanele Madlamalala credited Winter Rose for making the first half difficult, but said his side’s attacking prowess decided the game.

“I think the first half was even. They kept more possession, but sometimes possession in football doesn’t win you games. You need to score and win games,” Madlamalala said.

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He added that his team had come into the match well prepared, leaning on the fitness they had built up over recent weeks away from competitive action.

Winter Rose coach Tlotliso Molekoa’s assessment of the game was short and honest. “We performed badly. But we can fix our mistakes,” he said.

Apart from their performance, he said another reason why they lost was because of the height advantage that his opponents had, especially since he had fielded five younger players who compete in the U13 division.

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