Gaborone — Township Rollers' coach Rahman Gumbo could not hide his excitement after watching his side rip apart ECCO City Greens in a be MOBILE Premier League game played before a disappointing crowd at the Molepolole Sports Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

It seemed most fans decided to stay home to watch the South African derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs which was played at the same time. But that did not stop Rollers from producing an impressive second half performance to wallop the former champions 3-0. Mapalastina opened the scoring in the 46th minute through Terrence Mandaza who found himself unmarked in the box. ECCO goalkeeper Michael Onkutule could have done better to stop the ball from going in.

Eleven minutes later, Rollers' fans were once again celebrating after Malawian midfielder Lawrence Majawa found a loose ball in the box and riffled home. Rollers put the icing on the cake in the 87th minute when substitute Edwin Moalosi got in front of ECCO goalkeeper to connect with Joel Mogorosi's perfect cross. ECCO who were without their two talismen Malepa 'Chippa' Bolelang and Mandlaenkosi 'Sukunyetsa' Sibanda never threatened Rollers as evidenced by only one shot at goal. After the match, Gumbo said it felt good to beat a side like ECCO. "This is not just a win considering that we were playing ECCO.

After a disappointing first half, we turned the game around in the second half and credit must go to the players." He pointed out that though he made three changes to the squad which beat Notwane 3-2, those who were called to duty performed with distinction. Veteran defender Pius Kolagano came in for the suspended Oscar Ncenga and did well.

Others who made a return to the starting line-up were Mogomotsi Kerebotswe and Onalethata Tshekiso for Simisane Mathumo and Aubrey Kebonnetse respectively. "I think we are on the right track and just hope that the boys do not lose focus. We will take each game as it comes and not think about bigger things (league title) now," Gumbo explained. ECCO assistant coach Atshele Molapi said they planned well for the game but they were let down by the referee who was harsh on them in the opening half. He added that in the second half, they lost the plot especially after letting in the first goal. "The first goal brought life into Rollers' play and they became dangerous. We were not supposed to concede those two opening goals.

We will go back to the drawing board and rectify the mistakes we made today," he said. Molapi dismissed the notion that the absence of Bolelang and Sibanda cost them the game. "Yes, they are key players but the players we had in the team were equally good. You must remember that we have played against Police XI and BMC without Malepa," he said.