Pretoria – A lone goal from Puleng Tlolane proved to be the difference as Polokwane City walked away with a scrappy 1-0 win over the University of Pretoria in a Premiership clash at the Tuks Stadium on Saturday.
Tlolane's first half strike from the edge of the area sealed the points for the visitors, who recorded their third win in as many attempts against Tuks, maintaining their 100 per cent record against the student outfit.
A hard-fought opening half-hour saw little in the way of chances for either side, with neither team willing to open up too much, for fear of conceding.
City's attackers combined well to hit Tuks on the break midway through the half, but failed to make their chances pay, before Thabo Mnyamane's effort was saved on the ground.
Tuks were careless in defence and were soon punished after Cole Alexander's quick thinking, and equally quick feet, put City on the front foot.
Alexander unlocked the AmaTuks defence, before a magical series of passes allowed Tlolane space on the edge of the area, which he used to his advantage, curling in the opener with a well-timed right-footed effort.
Polokwane drew back somewhat after the half-time break and packed their defence, much to the hosts' frustration, who found the going tough in City's half.
AmaTuks applied heavy pressure after the hour mark but looked anxious in possession and could not turn their territory into anything worth celebrating.
Second half replacement Lucky Mathosi should have done better with 14 minutes left to play when he rose above his marker and headed Khethukuthula Zwane's fine cross goalwards, but missed the target when a goal looked on the cards.
A frustrating second half ended with Tuks the dominant force on the pitch, and coach Steve Barker will have plenty to ponder as the University's strikers look to find their scoring boots early in the season. – Sapa