Madombidzha Try Again narrowly beat Tshiozwi Mates 1-0 in their Makhado Mayoral Cup quarter final match at Ravele grounds on Sunday.
Mates took the game to Try Again in the first 20 minutes. Their speedy forward, Baldwin Mbadaliga let them down by shooting aimlessly at the goal post. Mates tried to rectify their mistake soon afterwards. Their diminutive kingpin, Tumelo Mamorobela, beat the offside trap, but lost possession with keeper Zwivhuya Makhode at his mercy.
Try Again played defensive football in the first half and allowed their opponents to spend a lot of time within their territory. The referee flashed the first yellow card in the 30th minute. Langanani Ramabila of Mates was reprimanded for a dangerous tackle on Tshepiso Kganakga.
The only time when Try Again came close to scoring was when Gift Mukhesiwent broke loose from the left flank and shot wide from close range. At that stage, the game was 34 minutes old. As one of their many ways to search for goals, Try Again introduced Tshianeo Funzani for Nhlenhle Maguga.
The goal which separated the boys from the men came in the 84th minute. Try Again were awarded a penalty after Brighton Sebola handled the ball within his own penalty box. Khathutshelo Raulinga scored from the white spot.
Late in the game, Mates should have equalised, but Tebogo Mohale's ground cutter hit the woodwork and bounced back into play, much to the disappointment of the team's fans.