Milford FC racked up a second successive win in the Betway Premiership when they overcame fellow rookies Kruger United 2-1 at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Stallions recovered from being both a man and a goal down, securing victory thanks to an early goal-of-the-season contender from Thabana Mabena, while the Village Boys slumped to a second defeat in their opening three matches.
Milford enjoyed the better chances through the first half and spurned several good opportunities to claim the lead. The first, in the 14th minute, saw Jabulile Gxakoshe turn and shoot from the edge of the box, but his skidding effort was tipped wide by Kruger goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou.
A minute later Menzi Chili had a chance in the box, as he met a cross from the right flank, but failed to keep his effort on target.
The Stallions’ next chance arrived in the 36th minute when Siphosethu Ndlabi went free down the right of the box, but he was denied initially by Dandjinou, and then failed to make anything of the rebound.
The hosts then suffered a major blow shortly before halftime when Chili was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Shane Saralina in midfield – the incident ended both players’ evenings, with the former dismissed and the latter stretchered off and substituted.
Both teams made changes at the start of the second half, with Sicelo Masilela and Tonny Mbunga entering the fray for 10-man Milford, while Kruger added Sphiwe Mahlangu to the mix.
And it was the visitors who broke the deadlock, with Khethukuthula Ndlovu scoring an excellent goal in the 51st minute, cutting inside from the left before firing a drive from just outside the box that had the beating of goalkeeper Siphamandla’s Hleza’s right hand.
However, 10-man Milford struck back to level the game in the 69th minute, with Masilela scoring with a diving header after he met Sifiso Mdluli’s cross from the left flank.
And the Stallions stormed into a 2-1 lead seven minutes later, with substitute Thabana Mabena picking up a loose ball and firing home a superb long-range drive that went in via the underside of the crossbar – giving Dandjinou no chance whatsoever.
Kruger created some notable pressure in the dying minutes, but even with numerical advantage they were unable to find a second pathway to goal, leaving the Stallions to savour a hard-earned victory.
The teams will return to Premiership action in the final midweek of August, with Kruger at home to Durban City, and Milford visiting Polokwane City.
Milford FC (0) 2 (Masilela 69’, Mabena 76’)
Kruger United (0) 1 (Ndlovu 51’)
MILFORD: Hleza, Bhengu, Mthabela, Cele, Mdluli, Mthiyane (Mabena 75’), Gaxakoshe (Masilela 46’), Mthethwa (Ngxongo 80’), Chili, Zikakayo (Mbunga 46’), Ndlabi (Mkhize 74’)
KRUGER: Dandjinou, Fakude, Sibiya, Saralina (Makhubela 45+1’), Mphothe (Zwane 88’), Matima, Nel (Mahlangu 46’), Mohamme, Mngonyama, Ndlovu, Seedat (Sereets 63’ [Ndlela 88’])