Golden Arrows returned to winning ways in the Betway Premiership this weekend after recording a 2-1 victory over a 10-man Marumo Gallants outfit at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
While Gallants struggled under pressure for large parts of the encounter, a Sede Dion brace was enough for Arrows to grab maximum points in Pretoria this weekend, despite Eroine Angikoi netting a consolation effort 25 minutes from time.
Abafana Bes’thende commenced the game on the front foot and created early chances that put Gallants on alert during the first 10 minutes. Arrows came close to opening the scoring in the ninth minute, after Dion’s effort from outside the box was saved by Washington Arubi.
While Gallants looked blunt in attack, Arrows continued to apply pressure midway through the first half. The Durban-based outfit managed to take the lead in the 22nd minute as Dion added his name to the scoresheet from close range, moments after Khulekani Shezi saw his initial attempt blocked to the right side of the box.
Dion continued to trouble Gallant’s backline after breaking the deadlock, while their counterparts’ woes deepened in the 37th minute after Katlego Otladisa received his marching orders following a reckless challenge.
Gallants conjured up a couple of scoring attempts toward the break, as seen with efforts from Siyabonga Nhlapho and Msindisi Kunene, however, Arrows went into half-time with their lead intact.
Abafana Bes’thende continued to press the issue after the restart, with Siphesihle Msomi having a go at the Gallants goalkeeper on a couple of occasions. As was the case for much of the game, Gallants continued to play under pressure and battled to progress the ball upfield.
Shortly after Gallants’ attacker Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo struck the woodwork in the 60th minute, Arrows doubled their advantage through Dion once more as he capped off a swift attacking move with a right-footed shot from the middle of the goal.
CONSOLATION FOR GALLANTS
Despite being two goals down, Gallants fought back and got their names on the scorecard in the 65th minute. Following a set-piece opportunity, Mohamed Doumbia swung in a ball that Agnikoi met with a timely header to score.
With a slender goal advantage, Arrows held the bulk of the ball toward the end of the game and made it difficult for Gallants to find a breakthrough, as the latter created few noble scoring chances after scoring.
Nonetheless, Arrows ended the game with three points in the bag and returned to winning ways after their 2-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns last time out. As for Gallants, the Bloemfontein side were unable to build on their 3-1 win against Chippa United last week.
Marumo Gallants: (0) 1 (Agnikoi 65’)
Golden Arrows: (1) 2 (Dion 22’, 62’)
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Agnikoi, Nhlapo, Manaka, Ncube, Ndlovu, K.Sithole (Ntiya-ntiya 47’), Doumbia, Otladisa, Ndlondlo (Marou 76’), S.Sithole (Mabuza 58’)
Golden Arrows: Maova, Mafuleka (Cele 67’), Cisse (Dlamini 46’), Mabaso, Jiyane, Karelse (Nguse 46’), Msomi (Mantshiyane 57’), T.Khumalo (Gasa 46’) , Dion, K.Shezi, Maxwele