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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THERE were no major changes in the World Navi Northern Region Division One soccer as the top five teams maintained their positions on the log table, with Gunners remaining at the apex as the title race reached the halfway mark over the weekend.Gunners needed a brace from McDonald Motsi to collect three points against Twalumba at Dzivaresekwa.

Motsi was on target 37 minutes into the game before adding another goal four minutes later as Chando Kupisa edged their Harare rivals 2-0.

Gunners coach Kudakwashe Masaraure was happy, but warned that they would have to continue working hard to maintain their position.

“I think the first half of the season we have played well since we are on top. We have only lost one game and we are hoping to maintain that in the second half. We are going to work hard to maintain our position.

“Yesterday (Saturday) the boys played well, but the ground was bumpy and we did not play our usual passing game. We were avoiding passes and it paid for us. On their side (Twalumba) it’s a good team, it’s just that results are not coming, but they are building a good team.

“It’s quite unfortunate that they are not getting results. They gave us a tough challenge,” said Masaraure.

The log leaders have so far lost just one match out of the 17 they have played.

They have won 12 and drawn four games.

In other matches featuring the top five teams, second-placed Flame Lilly beat DC Academy 1-0 and Nesbert “Yabo’’ Saruchera’s men are just three points behind the log leaders while early pacesetters Bindura United recovered from a 4-0 humiliation by ZRP Morris last week to dismiss Karoi United 2-0 at Chipadze.

Mushowani also stayed within shouting distance of the leading pack after edging Black Mambas 1-0 and Klifton “Somalia’’ Kadurira’s Ngezi brought ZRP Morris back to the ground with a 2-0 victory.

On the bottom half of the table, Chegutu Pirates beat Commando Bullets 1-0 while Royal Classic drew 1-1 against Seven Flames.

Despite picking some crucial points, Chegutu and Commando are still anchored on the bottom two places on the log.

Results:

Seven Flames 1, Royal Classic 1; Twalumba 0, Gunners 2; Bindura 2, Karoi United 0; Ngezi Platinum 2, ZRP Morris 0; DC Academy 0, Flame Lilly 1; Black Mambas 0, Mushowani 1; Starbill 1, Blue Swallows 0; Lake Harvest 1, Dstv Rangers 0; Chegutu Pirates 1, Commando 0.