Lamontville Golden Arrows claimed bragging rights in the first Natal derby of the season, beating Richards Bay 1-0 at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Wednesday.
Arrows claimed their first victory of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign, while Richards Bay suffered their second loss in as many league games.
First home game win and 3 points secured tonight with a goal in the 82nd minute from Junior Dion
— Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (@goldenarrowsfc1) August 13, 2025
Lamontville Golden Arrows 1-0 @RichardsBayFC_#SthendeWay #10betGoldenArrows #BetWayPrem pic.twitter.com/73693pdEiv
Abafana Bes'thende’s first chance came from a free-kick in the seventh minute. Sbonelo Cele’s pass drifted dangerously towards the near post but Moses Mthembu got to it first, sending it behind for a corner.
In the 16th minute, Philani Kumalo’s pass attempt with the outside of the foot had too much height, traveling close to goal and almost caught goalkeeper Salim Moogla off guard but went wide.
Lindokuhle Zikhali lost the ball in the 23rd minute, allowing Arrows to counter attack with a three-on-two.
However, Zikhali recovered and stole the ball back before Siyanda Mthanti could find a teammate either side of him.
Arrows had a mistake of their own in the 41st minute as Thulani Gumede stole Oumar Komara’s pass from beyond the area, but luckily for Arrows it didn't prove costly.
Gumede then displayed great footwork in the 43rd minute to get past two defenders in the midfield.
His cross-field pass found Thikazi in the box who headed it back to set up Mthembu, whose effort went well off target.
The Natal Rich Boys had a chance to take the lead in the 53rd minute, as Sbani Mthungwa delivered a dangerous ball into the box, finding an open Lundi Mahala in front of goal, but his first time effort was directed wide.
Mahala should have put Richards Bay in front from a corner in the 65th minute as Thikazi’s cross found him unmarked at the back post, but he failed to direct his header on target.
In the 68th minute, Thikazi’s cross into the middle of the box took a deflection away from the path of Mcineka, who nudged the ball towards Zikhali. However, his follow- up attempt going for the far corner went wide of the post.
In the 70th minute, Mthembu found Gumede just inside the area, but his effort was struck straight at goalkeeper Edward Maova.
Arrows came close to breaking the deadlock in the 81st minute with great combination play, but Tshepo Mabua stepped in and cleared the ball behind goal before any attackers could get to it.
Abafana Bes'thende netted in the 82nd minute as Richards Bay failed to effectively clear the resulting corner with the ball finding Junior Dion on the edge of the area.
He unleashed a spectacular volley, finding the top left corner to give Arrows a late lead.
In stoppage time, Mthembu delivered a threatening cross but Gabadinho Mhango could not rise high enough to make contact in the middle of the box.
Arrows will feature in back-to-back Natal derbies as they face newcomers Durban City at the Chatsworth Stadium next Tuesday.
The Natal Rich Boys will hope to turn their fortunes around as they travel to the FNB Stadium to face Kaizer Chiefs next Tuesday.
Lamontville Golden Arrows (0) 1 (Dion 82’)
Richards Bay 0
GOLDEN ARROWS: E. Maova, K. Phillips (L. Dube 76’), A. Jiyane, G. Shitolo (A. Maxwele 61’), O. Komara, J. Dion, N. Zwane, S. Cele, S. Mthanti (N. Sibiya 76’), N. Dlamini, P. Kumalo (J. Karelse 61’)
RICHARDS BAY: S. Moogla, S. Zulu (H. Vilakazi 56’), S. Mcineka, T. Mabua, S. Mntungwa, M. Mthembu, T. Gumede, L. Zikhali (G. Mhango 87’), M. Thikazi (M. Nombengbula 78’), L. Mahala.