Marumo Gallants and Richards Bay shared the spoils in their Betway Premiership match at Dr Molemela Stadium on Saturday, settling for a 1-1 draw.
Bahlabane ba Ntwa played to a fifth successive draw (and eight games without a win) and remained in 15th – one point and one place away from safety.
The Natal Rich Boyz stayed in 11th on the log, as a third successive draw extended their unbeaten run to six in the league.
Bay were the more enterprising team in the early stages and claimed the lead in the 10th minute. Sanele Barns whipped in a cross from the right flank, which was narrowly missed by Ntlonelo Bomelo, but hit the head of defender Marvin Sikhosana and flashed beyond goalkeeper Kagisho Mlambo for an own goal.
Gallants made a double change on the half-hour mark, with Katekani Mhlongo succumbing to injury and Sekela Sithole withdrawn, allowing the introductions of Kamohelo Sithole and Edson Khumalo.
And the hosts found a better attacking rhythm heading toward halftime, though they only tested Bay goalkeeper Ian Otieno with one notable attempt, as the Kenyan tipped away Simo Mbhele’s free kick in the 44th minute.
The first clear chance of the second half went the way of the Natal Rich Boyz, with Barns driving a powerful effort on target from the right of the penalty area in the 53rd minute, but Mlambo made a strong save.
Five minutes later the hosts should have doubled their advantage, with a sweeping counter attack first teeing up Bomelo – who was denied by the keeper – before Thulani Gumede had an almost unguarded goal to aim at from a few metres out, but struck the crossbar.
Gallants immediately made their opponents pay, levelling the game in the 60th minute. A corner kick resulted in the ball bobbling about in the box before Bheki Mabuza squeezed home a shot from close range for 1-1.
Bahlabane ba Ntwa took confidence from the goal and began to dominate, almost claiming the lead in the 77th minute via an in-swinging free kick from Sithole which clipped the crossbar.
Bay thought they had claimed a late winner from substitute Lundi Mahala, who swept home at close range after a free kick, but the effort was correctly ruled out for an offside from Thabani Zuke.
The teams will be back in Premiership action next Saturday, 16 May, with Gallants away to Polokwane City, and Bay at home to Sekhukhune United.
Marumo Gallants (0) 1 (Mabuza 60’)
Richards Bay (1) 1 (Sikhosana OG 10’)
Gallants: Mlambo, Mhlongo (K. Sithole 30’), Sikhosana, Nhlapo, Ntiya-Ntiya, Manaka, Mbhele, Mabuza (Motloung 72’), S. Sithole (Khumalo 30’), Ndlovu, Ndlondlo
Bay: Otieno, Mabuya, Zuke, Mcineka, Sikhakhane, Mthembu, Nashixwa, Zikhali, Barns, T. Gumede (Mdunge 78’), Bomelo (Mahala 69’)
© Backpage TXT
SOURCED FROM THE PSL WEBSITE.
