Lamontville Golden Arrows was unfortunate to split the points with Polokwane City after dominating play for 90 minutes at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Saturday. Junior Dion was back in the Arrows outfit after missing the clash with AmaZulu, but the league’s top scorer didn’t have a good first half.
Polokwane’s Mokibelo Ramabu made a right-footed shot that forced Edward Maova into early action. Polokwane got off a few shots before the 30-minute mark, none of which seemed to bother Maova too much. Arrows controlled the tempo of the first half, especially after Thabang Matuludi from Polokwane City was given a red card for violent conduct at the half-hour mark.
Second-Half Pressure
Themba Mantshiyane looked poised down the left flank, getting a few shots at goal before the whistle blew on the first 45. Arrows made a triple substitution at the reset, removing Isaac Cissè and Mantshiyane from the match. Polokwane looked much stronger in the duels both in the air and on the ground. Arrows defence, though, looked much more solid as a unit.
Arrows ramped up the pressure at the hour mark, claiming numerous set pieces but still couldn’t find the breakthrough. Nhlanhla Gasa had a brilliant game down the left flank, and so too did Polokwane’s Ramabu on the opposite side. Siyanda Ndlovu made some pressing moves at the 70th-minute mark, just after Jerome Karelse was brought in for Angelo Can Rooi.
Intense Finish
Karelse scored the dramatic late equaliser against AmaZulu earlier in the week, that helped Arrows save a point. Polokwane still chased the game after 75 minutes but never flinched for a second in defence. Three yellow cards in the final 10 minutes were some indication as to the intensity of the ending, as Arrows pressed for a winner without luck.
According to the Premier Soccer League, the draw leaves Golden Arrows in the top eight, while Polokwane City remains in the hunt for a top-eight finish. For more information on the league standings, visit the South African Premier Division Wikipedia page.
- Golden Arrows had 60% possession
- Polokwane City had 5 shots on target
- Arrows made 15 tackles
Ndlovu pulled off a masterful final ten minutes, but in the end, both teams had to take a point each.
