Story by Lawrence Trusida
SCOTTLAND moved into second position on the log after a Michael Tapera brace settled an entertaining encounter against defending Castle Lager Premier Soccer League champions Simba Bhora at Rufaro stadium this Sunday.
It was a goal worthy of winning any match. The thunderous strike was more than a goal, it was a symbol of how far the new boys had come.
The expansively assembled Scottland started the season slowly after gaining promotion from Division One, they went on to assemble virtually a whole new team.
The Mabvuku-based side went on to bring some of the best players in the land, including the best three players from last season, the top goal scorers as well as the most consistent shot-stoppers from the past season.
The Mabvuku ‘Galacticos’ huffed and puffed early in the season, but they seem to have struck the right code and suddenly, they have risen to second position just a point behind MWOS.
The Tonderai Ndiraya-coached side have won three on the trot, something their head coach has been calling for and their consistency will start sending shivers into the rest of the league, especially with the class of players they have.
Never mind the slow start to the season, like they say big engines take too long to heat up, and Scottland seems to be in the groove now.
Never mind the dull one-nil victory courtesy of an own goal against a poor Triangle side on the opening day of the season, never mind the defeat to Ngezi, the dull draw against Yadah and ZPC Kariba, Scottland now mean business.
Against the defending PSL champions Simba Bhora, Scottland really showed what they are made off, withholding relentless pressure from the Shamva-based side before unleashing at the right moment to snatch victory in the most unimaginable way.
Those who left before the 80th minute might not believe the result, but the timing was calculated to precision.
The victory was their sixth of the season and while it might just be just three points the significance is that Scottland is starting to show some fluidity and stringing some good plays, something that was missing in the early days.
For Simba Bhora, the defeat saw them clinging to third position with 19 points, three behind Scottland who trail the log leaders by a single point.
In other matches, MWOS maintained the top spot after another contentious match at Ngoni Stadium that ended two-all after two TelOne players were sent off in bizarre circumstances.
Their previous home game saw Manica Diamonds complaining after a questionable penalty was awarded to MWOS before what seemed to be the winner for the visitors was ruled off-side in another disputed case.
Bulawayo giants Highlanders conclude the top four with 18 points.
