SuperSport open up four-point gap in Diski Challenge

SuperSport United have stretched the lead at the summit of the DStv Diski Challenge log.

The Young Spartans did themselves a world of good by beating Royal AM 4-2 at Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammarsdale on Saturday morning to open up a four-point lead on top.

The visitors' intentions showed early on as they piled pressure on Royal AM, whose resistance lasted for only five minutes.

Shandre Campbell slotted home his opener after a well-orchestrated move inside the box. SuperSport's continued tenacity paid dividends as Campbell completed his brace on the 42nd minute. He would complete his hat-trick before halftime after a referee awarded Young Spartans a penalty for a foul inside the box.

But Thabo September's boys took the foot off the pedal in the second half and they were made to pay dearly by Thulebona Vezi, who pounced on a rebound to net an opener in the 52nd minute.

Vezi completed his brace 12 minutes later. But it was Keenan Buzuidenhoit who had the last laugh as he grabbed the surety goal for the log leaders in the dying minutes.

Playing a day before fellow league contenders Cape Town City and Orlando Pirates gave Matsatsantsa an opportunity to stretch the lead and take a breather, at least for a few hours.

Now they'll be watching with keen interest and less pressure when City sweat to restore a point deficit at the expense of struggling Maritzburg United in Cape Town, while Pirates take on neighbours Swallows at Rand Stadium in Gauteng.