In what was a highly entertaining fixture in the Betway Premiership this week, Golden Arrows took the lead on two occasions during a hard-fought 3-2 win against Royal AM at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday night.
While the game was delayed as a result of Arrows being stuck in traffic en-route to the stadium, fans were thoroughly entertained with drama and goals at the popular football ground.
After taking the lead on a couple of occasions, it was ultimately a Zukile Mkhize own goal that separated the two sides on the night.
#BetwayPrem - RESULT:@goldenarrowsfc1 rally back from one goal down to win a five-goal thriller in the KZN Derby. pic.twitter.com/jtST3er8uW
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) November 26, 2024
Royal AM made their presence known early on as Motebang Sera recorded the first attempt at goal in the third minute of the encounter.
While Royal AM pushed Arrows back into their own defensive quarters, Abafana Bes’thende battled to progress the ball up field.
Thwihli Thwahla eventually took the lead moments after Sera’s initial attempt as Sibusiso Magaqa added his name to the scoreboard.
After making way inside the Arrows box, the attacker made no mistake with a left-footed shot from close range.
Arrows began seeing more of the ball midway through the first half and even created more scoring chances than their KwaZulu-Natal counterparts.
However, Royal AM proved to be a tough nut to crack at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
Nevertheless, Magaqa’s early effort separated the two sides at the break while Arrows ended the half on a positive note.
Golden Arrows commenced the second half just as they ended the first and immediately applied pressure going forward.
Abafana Bes’thende actively searched for an equaliser during the first 15 minutes after the restart as seen with attempts made by Velemeseni Ndwandwe and Nduduzo Sibiya.
Following a period of mounting pressure inside the Royal AM box, Arrows were awarded a penalty moments after the 70th minute which was confidently converted by Ryan Moon.
With the wind in their sails, Arrows wasted no time in getting the ball into the danger zones of the pitch.
Then, in a moment that put a twist on the encounter, Moon doubled his advantage just two minutes after scoring the equalising goal after latching onto a cross with a well-timed header from the centre of the box.
With the game played at a frantic pace, Royal AM were then the beneficiaries of a penalty call in the 84th minute as Thabo Matlaba stepped up to the spot to level matters in Pietermaritzburg.
Royal AM crumbled under Arrows' pressure inside the 18-yard-area toward the end of the match as Menzi Masuku’s attempted backheel in the 88th minute took a massive deflection off the goalkeeper en-route to goal, which ultimately led to Abafana Bes’thende re-taking the lead late on.
It was drama from start to finish 😲🍿
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 26, 2024
Golden Arrows secure their first-ever win over Royal AM ⚽#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/nZz2y3vlcY
Royal AM: (1) 2 (Magaqa 3’, Matlaba 85)
Golden Arrows: (0) 3 (Moon 72’, 74’, Ngcobo OG 88 ’)
Royal AM: Ngcobo, Jiyane, Zulu, Matlaba, Mkhize, Mpisane (Sithebe 59’), Magaqa (Dlamini 46’), Mahlasela, Mazwele, B.Dlamini (George 94’), Sera
Golden Arrows: Maova, Phillips, Shitolo (Cele 90’, Mantshiyane, Theron, Dlamini (Masuku 46’), Ndwandwe, Sibiya (Ncube 58’), Mthanthi, Van Rooi (Mchunu 58’), Libamba (Moon 58’)