Hardrock saw off Manica Diamonds 3-0 at home in the Premier Soccer League's regular season round 26 on Friday, extending their push for the upper reaches of the table. The hosts were never really challenged, and the result leaves them three points clear of third place with six matches remaining.
The opening goal came just before the half-hour mark, with Hardrock's number nine finishing a quick move down the left. Two minutes later they doubled their advantage, and by then the game was already slipping out of the visitors' hands. The away side tried to respond but their passing grew sloppy under pressure.
A third goal in the 64th minute effectively ended any hope of a comeback. Manica could have pulled one back after that, but their striker missed a clear chance from ten yards out. The hosts switched to a back three at that stage, and the pitch cut up badly as the afternoon heat set in.
Hardrock sit second with 57 points from 28 games, while Manica remain stuck at the bottom with just 19 points. The gap between them is now 38 points, and for a side in 18th place that is becoming a serious problem.
Both teams had mixed recent form coming into this fixture. Hardrock lost two of their last five but bounced back with consecutive wins, while Manica took only one point from their previous three matches. The visitors have now lost four straight league games.