Cape Town Spurs made it three from three in the PSL Promotion playoffs on Wednesday afternoon, following their 1-0 victory against Casric Stars at Athlone Stadium.
The Urban Warriors looked up for the challenge early on in the tie and took the game to their opponents during the first five minutes. Spurs often went direct and put Casric Stars on the back foot from the get go.
Casric attacked in moments, predominantly in counter-attacking situations as a result of the Urban Warriors' pressure. As the 15th minute rolled on, the travelling outfit created a number of goalscoring opportunities which was well-defended by the home team.
The Urban Warriors regained control of the game after the 20th minute mark, while Casric struggled to deal with the mounting pressure from the hosts.
Casric Stars battled to make their way out of their own half, as Spurs continued to create chances toward the end of the first 45. The Urban Warriors looked menacing in wide areas of the pitch and forced Casric to commit numerous fouls on the edge of their box.
Spurs began the second half just as they ended the first and immediately went on the attack. In turn, Therlo Moosa was afforded with a golden opportunity when the Urban Warriors found themselves in a 4v2 situation on the edge of the Casric box, however, poor decision making by the striker saw the attacking move being thwarted.
After a couple of nervy moments inside the Spurs 18-yard-area, the Urban Warriors recouped and once again, assumed possession of the ball. Following an hour of football played at Athlone Stadium, Spurs continued to play on the front foot.
Spurs were dealt with a blow in the 65’ minute after Ashley Cupido was shown a straight red, after the referee spotted an infringement toward one of the opposing players.
Despite being a man down, Spurs’ pressure paid off in the 72nd minute, with Morne Nel getting his name on the scoresheet.
Following patient build-up play by the likes of Asanele Velebayi and Therlo Moosa, the ball popped up for Nel on the edge of the area, who slotted the ball away with a curling effort to the goalkeeper’s right.
After taking the lead, the Urban Warriors kicked into game management mode with 10 minutes left on the clock and defended deep inside their own half.
10-man Cape Town Spurs win 1-0 at the Athlone Stadium and move to nine points - six clear of Maritzburg. They need one point to secure qualification to the DStv Premiership ? pic.twitter.com/rFG3lxkGRf
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) June 7, 2023
Cape Town Spurs: (0) 1 (Nel 72’)
Casric Stars: (0) 0
Cape Town Spurs: Vyver, Dortley, Daniels, Brown, Allie, Nel, Morton (Phewa 46’), Butsaka (Velebayi 46’), Moroole, Cupido, Moosa (Stander 87’)
Casric Stars: Mpakumpaku, Rammala, Mathonsi, Mtshweni, Tshoba (Thibedi 83’), Samache (Zwane 71’), Thloloe, Mojela, Seseane (Mabote 77’), Mosadi, Rakwena (Nkosi 77’)