First taste of the top: Grand Legacy hammer Four Lions

Grand Legacy Football Club have temporarily moved to the top of the Pacific Storm Eastern Region Soccer League standings for the first time this season after beating Four Lions FC 3-0 at St Paul’s Musami Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The victory saw them return to winning ways at home after they were stunned 1-0 by Mutare City Rovers FC last weekend.

That defeat looked like a setback, but Katsande’s men steadied themselves mid-week with a 1-0 away win at Africa Mineral Ventures FC.

They carried that momentum back to Musami and turned the stadium into a fortress again.

Munashe Nandolo opened the scoring in the 31st minute from the penalty spot, taking his goal tally to 8 for the season.

Four Lions held out for a long spell, but Grand Legacy broke them late.

Trust Masawi struck in the 81st minute and captain Tatenda Makurumidze, sealed the win two minutes later in the 83rd to make it 3-0.

The result takes Grand Legacy to 28 points and pushes Yadah FC down to second on goal difference.

It’s the first time they’ve sat at the summit this campaign, though they know the stay could be brief.

Yadah FC have a chance to reclaim top spot tomorrow when they host Manica Diamonds U19 FC at Heart Stadium. Tenax will also be in action tomorrow, keeping the title race tight.

In his post-match reaction, Willard Katsande was satisfied with the win and quick to credit his charges. “We lost at home last week and the boys took it personally. Today they showed character, followed the plan and got the reward,” he told Fanzone.

He pointed to the mid-week result as the spark. “That 1-0 win at AMV gave us belief. We brought that winning momentum back home and you could see it in how we finished.”

Katsande saved his warmest words for the Musami faithful who backed the team for 90 minutes. “Our supporters were the most beautiful people today. They stood with us after the Mutare loss and pushed us over the line. This win is for them.”

In the other match played today at Gathsmine Stadium, Great Zimbabwe University FC lost 1-2 to Africa Mineral Ventures FC.

That result will sting GZU, while AMV will take confidence from bouncing back after their mid-week defeat to Grand Legacy.

More action follows tomorrow, and the race for the Pacific Storm Eastern Region crown just got hotter.

For now, Musami is celebrating three goals, three points, and a first taste of the top.