Richards Bay got their 2024/25 Betway Premiership campaign off to a winning start following a hard-fought 1-0 win against TS Galaxy at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Brandon Truter’s side were made to work for their victory on home soil this weekend, as Allan’s first-half opener proved to be the difference on the day.
The Rockets held most of the ball during the first 10 minutes of the match, while Richards Bay sat back in the hope of catching the visitors on the break. Both teams were presented with a couple of scoring chances during this period but were unable to hit the mark going forward.
Following a period of sustained pressure, Richards Bay took the lead in the 22nd minute of the match. After winning a free-kick inside the Galaxy half, Allan latched onto an accurate inswinger into the 18-yard-area with a headed effort that left Ira Eliezer Tapé rooted to the spot.
The Natal Rich Boyz controlled proceedings after taking the lead but often battled to penetrate the TS Galaxy box for much of the encounter thereafter. At the other end of the pitch, the Rockets came to life during the closing stages of the first 45 and created a couple of goal scoring opportunities in the process.
Nevertheless, Richards Bay managed to see out the half with their 1-0 goal advantage intact.
Richards Bay applied immediate pressure after the restart, with Somila Ntsundwana exploiting space down the left-hand side of the pitch. Nevertheless, Galaxy sat tight in waring off Richards Bay’s early attacks.
Not sitting back, Galaxy provided Richard Bay with a couple of shaky moments after the hour-mark, which led to the home team defending deep inside their half.
The Rockets continued to dominate on the ball as the 75th minute approach but often lacked cutting edge in their attacking advancements. Richards Bay played under the cosh for much of the second-half and struggled to progress the ball up field.
Richards Bay kicked into game-management mode for the remainder of the tie and were content at sitting back in soaking up the pressure. Truter’s defensive tactic worked out in the end as Richards Bay concluded the game with three points in the bag.
Richards Bay: (1) 1 (Allan 22’)
TS Galaxy: (0) 0
Richards Bay: Magoola, Mabua, Mcineka, Allan, Ndelu (Mthethwa 60’), Sithebe (Mthembu 38’), Mabuya, Mhlongo, Ntsundwana (Dube 73’), Conco (Gumede 60’), Sibanyoni
TS Galaxy: Tape, Mvelase (Mgaga 70’), Munyai (Letsoalo 80’), Khiba, Letsoenyo, Dithejane, Kabini, Mahlangu (Radebe 61’), Sebelebele (Maduna 61’), Seema, Sibanyoni (Mbuthuma 60’)
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