DURBAN – Lamontville Golden Arrows were made to wait for their first maximum points at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu as they were held 1-1 by Polokwane City in an action packed Absa Premiership showdown on Wednesday night.
Arrows have collected one point out of the possible six at home. It was the second time Abafana Bes'thende were denied three points in their home turf.
Bloemfontein Celtic walked away with the maximum points at Princess Magogo earlier this month as they defeat Arrows 2-0. They are also yet to keep the clean sheet at home which will be major concerned for Clinton Larsen and his technical team at Arrows.
The attendance was poor at Princess Magogo. It was more like a family gathering where only relatives were invited. Small as they were but they tried to lighten up the mood as they sung loud from the first whistle until the end of the match.
Nkosingiphile Gumede was almost caught off guard minutes in to the match as Mohammed Anas unleash a powerful strike from the range and the Chesterville born goal-minder made a decent diving stop to save his blushes. He was off his line.
Arrows broke the deadlock six minutes in to the match as the captain, Nkanyiso Mngwengwe, headed Abafana Bes'thende in to the lead.
Nkanyiso Mngwengwe, Captain of Lamontville Golden Arrows shoots the goal from a corner during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 game against Polokwane City. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
The goal came after George Chigova produced a brilliant save with his left foot to deny Limbikani Mzava from the spot.
Simphiwe Hlongwane brought down Siboniso Conco inside the box and the referee, Khulasande Gongqo, didn't hesitate as he blew for the penalty.
Chivoga was at his level best but couldn't deny Mngwengwe from the resulting corner kick which was whipped by Danny Center from the right and side.
Arrows dictacted the early proceedings using the pace of Nduduzo Sibiya and Conco on the flanks. They combined well upfront with Lerato Lamola and Knox Mutizwa.
Salulani Phiri came close to level the matters for City after exchanging some neat passes with the ever creative Jabulani Maluleke but his shot went wide.
Abafana Bes'thende were always dangerous in standard situations with their aerial power.
The numbers were bad in the stands but the football was eye catching as both sides created numerous half chances.
City gained momentum as the game proceeded. Lack of concentration saw City punishing Abafana Bes'thende six minutes before the interval.
Rodney Ramagalela restored the parity for City as he beat Gumede after Anas well executed chest pass.
You don't allow Ramagalela those acres of space because he will punish you. Ask Mamelodi Sundowns, they will tell you as they know how lethal he is around the box. He hurt them frequently last season.
The two sides were in to the interval dreadlocks at 1-1.
Larsen made a double substitution after the interval. Nduduzo Sibiya and Thabo Molefe made way for experience duo of Wayde Jooste and Danny Phiri.
City's stelwart outclassed the young Molefe in the middle of the park and that's why Larsen sacrificed him.
He wanted Phiri to destabilise things in the middle of the park and he did exactly that.
Jozef Vukusic also made a change after the break. He replaced Walter Musona with Bongile Booi.
The change worked well for Abafana Bes'thende as they hit the post twice in a space of 15 minutes.
George Chigova of Polokwane City FC saves the penalty shot during the game against Golden Arrows. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix
Jooste curled a brilliant shot which was kept at bay by the post with the goalkeeper, Chigova, well beaten between the posts.
Three minutes later Lamola spotted a telling run made by Mutizwa inside the box and the Zimbambean tried to tap it in to the back of the net but was denied by the woodwork.
Ramagalela reminded Arrows that he was still in the park as he turned and blastered the ball which went wide.
Arrows were lucky not to concede from that attempt. Jooste could have netted the brace in the second half but Chigova kept his team in the game with another stunning save with his left foot again.
He contributed significantly for the point they earned at Princess Magogo.
Arrows were saved by the post in the dying minutes of the match as he powerful strike brushed of the woodwork.
Score:
Lamontville Golden Arrows (1) 1
Polokwane City (1) 1