Mohammed Anas © Gallo Images

Free State Stars thrashed Bidvest Wits 3-1 in an Absa Premiership match at the Goble Park Stadium in Bethlehem on Wednesday night.

The victory saw Ea Lla Koto move to the 12th spot on the league table, while the Clever Boys remain at the top of the log – two points ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns with two games left.

The Clever Boys threatened first through Phakamani Mahlambi, whose snap-shot narrowly missed the target just eight minutes into the game.

However, Ea Lla Koto looked dangerous every time they pushed forward and they did break the deadlock in the 24th minute following a good move.

Stars midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula fired past Wits goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs from outside the box to make it 1-0 to the home side.

The Clever Boys then took control of the league encounter with Mahlambi looking lively for them – making good runs into the Ea Lla Koto box.

The South Africa under-20 international burst into the Stars box in the 31st minute, but his attempt was blocked as Wits pressed the home side.

But the Ea Lla Koto defence which was marshalled by former Orlando Pirates centre back Rooi Mahamutsa looked solid most of the time in the first half.

Stars were leading 1-0 at halftime – thanks to Makhaula’s well-taken goal. Wits had to find a way to break the Stars defence and score in the second half.

The Clever Boys continued to push forward as they looked to level matters after the restart and pressure mounted on the Ea Lla Koto defence.

Vincent Pule, the Wits winger, was unfortunate not to score in the 58th minute as his attempt beat Stars keeper Thela Ngobeni, but it hit the upright.

However, Mohammed Anas made no mistake at the other end seven minutes later as the striker scored with a right-footed shot to make it 2-0 to Stars.

It was end-to-end stuff as Cuthbert Malajila pulled one back for Wits in the 75th minute when he scored with a decent finish with Ngobeni beaten.

However, Wits suffered a blow three minutes later after second-half substitute Sifiso Myeni was given a straight red card and the visitors were reduced to 10 men.

Sinethemba Jantjie then sealed Stars’ 3-1 victory in the 90th minute when he beat Josephs with a good finish and Wits’s winless run in Bethlehem continued.

FS Stars (1) 3 (Makhaula 24′, Anas 65′, Jantjie 90′)

Wits (0) 1 (Malajila 75′)

FS Stars: Ngobeni, Mbhele, Teyise, Sekotlong (Kerspuy 71′), Mahamutsa, Jantjie, Masehe, Dlamini (Venter 90′) Mashego, Anas, Makhaula.

Wits: Josephs, Hlatshwayo, Mkhwanazi, Ntshangase, Ngele (47′), Scott, Frosler, Monare (Keene 70′), Mahlambi, Pule (Klate 61′), Malajila.

This article was sourced from the PSL website.