Silver Strikers Reserve staged a remarkable second-half comeback from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw against Armour Battalion at Chivala School Ground in Dowa on Sunday, July 26, with substitute Blessings Phiri scoring a superb brace to earn the side a point.
The Reserve side were in search of their first away victory of the season, but the result at full time means the team will have to wait for the next away fixture to claim maximum points on the road.
Speaking after the match, Silver Strikers Reserve head coach McDonald Yobe admitted that his side made a slow start but praised the players for their fighting spirit.
“I think the boys underrated the opponent, so we conceded from mistakes that we could have dealt with better. But at the end of the day, they grew into the game and secured a point. A draw is not a bad result and we are happy because, at one point, it looked like the game was out of reach. Credit to the boys for their fighting spirit,” said Yobe.
Yobe added that the technical panel has identified areas that need improvement as the campaign progresses.
“Weaccept the result and we will push for a positive outcome in the next fixture. We will make the boys understand that we also need to win away from home if we are to compete for the title,” he said.
With the team trailing at half-time, the technical panel made a quadruple substitution, introducing Blessings Phiri, Brino Mdumuka, Haward Kamuona and Prince Kumwembe for Chrispin Julayi, Patrick Mponda, Comfort Unyolo and Andrew Mughogho.
The changes initially appeared to have little effect as the hosts doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute after goalkeeper Jonathan Mtonga saved the first effort, only for Armour Battalion to convert the rebound.
Silver then introduced Zaithwa Lupare in place of Hadji Dyton as the Bankers searched for a way back into the contest.
The breakthrough came in the 72nd minute when Prince Kumwembe was fouled just outside the penalty area. Substitute Phiri stepped up and curled a superb free kick into the bottom-right corner beyond the goalkeeper.
Just two minutes later, the young Bankers were level. A well-worked attacking move found Phiri inside the box, and the forward kept his composure to slot home his second goal of the afternoon and complete the comeback.
Both sides created scoring opportunities throughout the encounter. Silver Strikers Reserve finished with 12 goal attempts, 6 of them on target, while Armour Battalion registered 15 attempts, with 7 testing Jonathan Mtonga.
The Bankers also won 4 corner kicks compared to Armour Battalion’s 1.
Phiri nearly completed a memorable hat-trick in stoppage time after a neat move inside the box, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
His outstanding display earned him the Player of the Match award.
Silver Strikers Reserve Starting XI:
Jonathan Mtonga (GK), Patrick Mponda (Brino Mdumuka 46′), Binali Usi, Comfort Unyolo (Haward Kamuona 46′), Alufeyo Nyirenda, Moffat Mnyontho, Matias Kawanga, Chrispin Julayi (Blessings Phiri 46′), Andrew Mughogho (Prince Kumwembe 46′), Hadji Dyton (Zaithwa Lupare 60′), Archangel Mayola.
Unused Substitutes:
Ulemerero Chimeza (GK), Bright Ng’oma, Vincent Kamaba Kachigundo, Cosmas Lyton, Blessings Mhone.
