Milford FC secured their first Betway Premiership win when they defeated Siwelele FC 1-0 at the Richards Bay Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Stallions, who marked their top-flight debut with a loss to champions Orlando Pirates earlier this month, have put three precious points on the board thanks to a second-half strike from Menzi Chili.
Siwelele were trigger happy through the course of the first half, trying their hand with no less than 12 attempts at goal. However, only three efforts were on target, with Jason Clifford, Sphesihle Jeza and Vincent Pule forcing Milford goalkeeper Siphamandla Hleza into saves.
Milford had a fair amount of possession but struggled to turn their time on the ball into any notable chances, as Siwelele goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko remained untested through the first 45 minutes.
The visitors opted for a little more guile at the start of the second half, as they swapped out Clifford in favour of Tebogo Potsane.
The pattern of the match continued, except that Milford grew in confidence as time wore on, and they were rewarded with a goal in the 77th minute. Menzi Chili broke the deadlock in favour of the hosts, capitalising on some space in the Siwelele defence.
The Bloemfontein side responded by throwing on Christian Saile and Neo Mokhachane with 10 minutes of regulation time remaining, but ultimately their hopes of salvaging something from the match were scuppered late on when Thabiso Seseane was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The teams will return to Premiership action this coming Saturday, 15 August, with Milford at home to Kruger United, and Siwelele away to AmaZulu FC.
Milford FC (1) 1 (Chili 77’)
Siwelele FC (0) 0
MILFORD: Hleza, Bhengu, Mthabela, Cele, Mdluli, Chili (Mkhize 83’), Mthiyane, Mabena (Radebe 63’), Zikakayo (Masilela 63’), Gxakoshe (Siyaya 83’), Ndlabi (Mbunga 72’)
SIWELELE: Phoko, Mfolozi, Sesane, Ndebele, Baliti, Thulo (Marks 70’), Kobedi (Rasebotja 87’), Margeman, Pule (Mokhachane 80’), Jeza (Saile 80’), Clifford (Potsane 46’)