In a match that had all the signs you would expect in a derby, it was Makana Rhini United (MARU) who emerged victorious against Eleven Attackers with a 2-1 score line in a South African Breweries (SAB)Cacadu regional league at JD Dlepu over the weekend.
In a match that had all the signs you would expect in a derby, it was Makana Rhini United (MARU) who emerged victorious against Eleven Attackers with a 2-1 score line in a South African Breweries (SAB)Cacadu regional league at JD Dlepu over the weekend.
The spectators were treated to a fast-paced game from the very first minutes, with neither team allowing the other breathing room in the middle of the park.
It has to be said that the referee was one of the busiest men of all, as he had to frequently step in to stop what could have turned out to a fist fight as tempers flared between the two clubs.
MARU were the first to find the back of the net through Libona Nondlwana, who scored with a follow-up.
The Attackers goalkeeper was unable defend after the initial shot by Lelethu Mini hit the posts.
The Attackers defence could have dealt with the ball better, but were at sixes and sevens, allowing their arch rivals the lead.
The goal didn’t kill the mood for the spirited Attackers, who kept pushing but were kept at bay with tight defending by the MARU defence.
Attackers had a goal in the closing stages of the first half, but were disallowed by the match officials who called for an infringement on the MARU goal minder.
When the sides returned from the half time break, they took some time to settle and bring back the spark they showed in the first stanza.
That was until a moment of brilliance by second-half substitute Masixole Adonis, who just inside the box produced a thunderous strike to the far corner, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance for a 2-0 score line.
Things went from bad to worse for Attackers as they were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half. Siyanda Meltata was shown a second yellow card for a dangerous tackle and had to watch the remainder of the game from the side-lines.
That didn’t help Attackers going forward, as the midfielder was arguably one of the better performers of the day until that moment. Sensing three points already, MARU were just happy to relax during the later stages of the game.
They just controlled the middle of the park while Attackers gave all they could, trying to break a stubborn MARU defence.
They did just that towards the end of the 90 as another second-half substitute, Mvuyisi Platyi, rose above all to head home in a free kick.
The match was in for an exiting finish as Attackers pushed for an equalising goal.
But it was to no avail, as MARU hung on for three points.
The win consolidated MARU's position at the top of the standings, stretching their lead to 11 points over second-placed Attackers.
Meanwhile City Pirates ensured it’s an all Grahamstown top three in the SAB league as they limped to a 3-2 victory against the visiting All Stars from Alexandria.
With the three points, Pirates now trail second-placed Eleven Attackers by a point, after 12 rounds of matches.
