Mamelodi Sundowns have recorded another victory at home following their 2-1 win over Lamontville Golden Arrows on Wednesday night at Loftus Versfeld. It is goals from Teboho Mokoena and Iqraam Rayners that saw Masandawana walk away with all points on offer.
The hosts made a positive start to the game, making an immediate attacking impact +on the 10th minute. It started with Jayden Adams who had an opportunity to shoot from the edge of the box but he opted to give it to Arthur Sales. Sales then lobbed the ball over the Arrows defence to find Rayners, but Rayners couldn’t get it right as he hit the side netting from a tight angle.
Tashreeq Matthews also looked to open the scoring for Downs when he struck a shot from the right hand side but there wasn’t enough power to the shot. This saw the goalkeeper making a save.
The first threat from the visitors eventually came and it was after a mistake made by Sales. Arrows pounced on him and drove the ball with the intent to get to the box but the Downs defence swept the danger away before even getting to the final third.
On the 28th minute, Bafana Ba Style finally broke the deadlock through Mokoena. Following a great combination just outside the area, the ball ended with Mokoena on the edge of the box facing goal. With no pressure on the ball, Mokoena fired a well-taken shot with the outside of his boot, seeing the ball go past the goalkeeper to rattle the net.
The rest of the opening half was filled with clear-cut chances from the hosts which were not successful, while the other half had less action and not keeping Ronwen Williams busy.
The second half kick started with the visitors looking more threatening than they did in the first. They had two golden opportunities on the 47th minute which the Downs rearguard quickly cleared to keep the score on their favour. A minute later, Bafana Ba Style took the ball to the other end of the field. Sales, again, lobbed the ball over the Arrows defence to find Rayners who snuck the ball into the net through a glancing header on the nearpost.
The hosts were forced to play with ten men after Adams was handed a direct red card following a dangerous tackle on an Arrows player. With that booking, coach Miguel Cardoso immediately made a change, substituting Sales for Marcelo Allende. They found the rebound but the effort to score sailed over the bar.
Eventually, in the final stages of the match, the referee pointed to the spot, following a handball call against Khuliso Mudau. The penalty taken went in, sending Williams the wrong way. Downs started making mistakes in the end of the match but were able to hold on to the lead to get the maximum points.
How we lined up: Williams ©, Mudau, Ndamane, Kekana, Modiba, Santos, Mokoena, Adams, Sales, Matthews, Rayners.
Subs: Onyango, Johannes, Basadien, Mothiba, Ntsabeleng, Zwane, Allende, Saleng, Leon.
