TS Galaxy scored a late equaliser to hold Royal AM to a 1-1 draw in a DStv Premiership match at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Thwihli Thwahla scored early via Elias Pelembe and appeared to have the game under control, but the Rockets struck back via Yaimil Medina in injury time to secure a share of the spoils and avoid a third straight league defeat.
Royal got off to a flying start, claiming the lead in the second minute: Mxolisi Machupu ran free down the right flank and provided a pull-back to pick out the unmarked Elias Pelembe in the middle of the penalty area – the veteran executed a classy finish past the right hand of goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi for 1-0.
Galaxy responded well to the early setback and put together some penetrative passing moves, though too often they were hesitant or wayward in their final pass or shot, leaving Royal goalkeeper Zakahle Ngcobo relatively unbothered.
The Thwihli Thwahla shot-stopper did make one key intervention in the 39th minute, bravely coming off his line to dive at the feet of Lindokuhle Mbatha just as the Galaxy winger looked likely to draw the hosts level.
This pattern of Galaxy searching out an equaliser continued in the early phase of the second half, though Royal could have added to their lead a couple of times, including a shot from Mfundo Thikazi which was well saved by Buthelezi.
The Rockets made three changes after the hour mark, throwing on Yaimil Medina, Nkosi Radebe and Bathusi Aubaas, but their lack of genuine penetration continued.
Royal, meanwhile, shuffled their attack with the likes of Motebang Sera, Levy Mashiane and Sbusiso Magaqa, and they were inches away from a second goal in the 82nd minute when Sera hit the post with a header from a corner kick.
Royal’s inability to kill off the game came back to haunt them three minutes into injury time when a hopeful ball into the box was headed back into the danger area by Aubaas – Ngcobo twice made a mess of trying to clear it away and ultimately Medina was on hand to head home from close range to make it 1-1.
The teams will return to the DStv Premiership next weekend, with Royal at home to Cape Town City on Saturday 29 April and Galaxy hosting Orlando Pirates the following day.
TS Galaxy (0) 1 (Medina 90+3’)
Royal AM (1) 1 (Pelembe 2’)
TS Galaxy:Buthelezi, Munyai (M. Mahlangu 77’), Msimango (Mlambo 78’), Sanoka, Seedat, Mbunjana, Sebelebele (Medina 63’), Mongae (Radebe 63’), Mbatha, S. Mahlangu, Parker (Aubaas 66’)
Royal AM:Ngcobo, Mogaila, Nascimento, Rikhotso, Matlaba, Mahlasela, Lingwati, Msomi, Pelembe (Mashiane 78’), Thikazi (Magaqa 77’), Machupu (Sera 77’)