Maritzburg United and Richards Bay shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night, as the Team of Choice remained rock bottom in the DStv Premiership.
The Team of Choice started the game on the front foot and carved out a couple of goal-scoring opportunities in the first five minutes of the encounter. Maritzburg looked dangerous in counter-attacking situations while Richards Bay attempted to get into the game with patient build-up play.
After 15 minutes, Maritzburg continued to pile on the pressure and often put Richards Bay on the back foot. The Natal Rich Boys looked vulnerable in wide areas of the pitch as Maritzburg continued to stretch their opponents in the final third.
Richards Bay managed to get into the game after the half-hour mark and made their way into the Maritzburg half on numerous occasions.
The Natal Rich Boys eventually took the lead in the 37th minute of the encounter, following a swift counter-attack inside the Maritzburg half. Assisted by Sakhile Hlongwa, Sanele Barnes right footed a shot from outside the box and found the back of the net.
Richards Bay actively searched for a second goal soon after taking the lead, however, the Natal Rich Boys settled with one goal to the good going into the break.
Much like the first half, Maritzburg spent the subsequent 45 minutes in search of an equaliser. However, Richards Bay sat tight and looked composed while defending their quarters.
After an hour of football played, the Team of Choice remained on the attack and constantly applied pressure in wide areas of the pitch.
Maritzburg held the majority of the ball throughout the second half but were often left frustrated in search of the equalising goal. As the clock ran down, Maritzburg decided to throw the kitchen sink at their opponents with long balls into the penalty area.
After patient play on the edge of the Richards Bay area, Maritzburg levelled matters in the 92nd minute as their pressure paid off late on in the tie. With the ball played out to Bradley Theron on the right wing, the full-back picked out Genino Palace, whose powerful header proved to be too much for Salim Magoola to handle.
After an entertaining encounter at the Harry Gwala Stadium, Maritzburg United and Richards Bay shared the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate.
Maritzburg United: (0) 1 ( Palace 92)
Richards Bay: (1) 1 (Barnes 37’)
Maritzburg United: Ndlovu, Ndengane, De Goede (Soukouna 60’), Moloisane (Human 45’), Makume, Njoti (Tlolane 78’), Palace, Theron, Karim, Jooste (Ritchie 72’), Samu (Peprah 73’)
Richards Bay: Salim, Mabua, Mcineka, Mathebula, Maphathe, Mhlongo, Mthethwa, Barns, Ntsundwana (Shabalala 90’), Memela (Msani 76’), Hlongwa (Mdabuka 76’)