Richards Bay returned to winning ways in the Betway Premiership this weekend following a tense 1-0 win against TS Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday, with the former extending their negative losing streak.
In a hotly contested battle throughout the 90 minutes, Sanele Barns separated the two sides with a first-half goal as Richards Bay bounced back from their 2-2 draw with Orlando Pirates last time out.
Following a relatively slow start at the Mbombela Stadium, Richards Bay found success in their opponents' penalty area.
With the Rockets on the back foot, Lwandile Mabuya and Baggio Nashixwa breathed life in the Natal Rich Boyz attacks with shots inside the box in the first quarter.
TS Galaxy replied through attempts by Victor Letsoalo and Igor Silva before the 20th minute mark as the pace of the game increased, while the possession count was shared almost equally midway through the first half.
However, Richards Bay continued to rack up goal-scoring opportunities but often fell short at the final hurdle with the 30th minute on the horizon.
The Natal Rich Boyz broke the deadlock moments before halftime as Barns made the difference for his team.
After being set up by Thulani Gumede en-route to goal, Barns capitalised on his opportunity with a right-footed shot from the middle of the 18-yard-area.
Both TS Galaxy and Richards Bay looked lively at the restart after chances fell in either box. The Rockets however, saw more of the ball as the hour-mark approached while actively searching for an equalizer.
Junior Zindoga summoned Ian Otieno into action in the 64th minute with an attempt inside the danger zone.
At the other end, Barns came close to doubling his tally after Sipho Maseti saved his long-range effort in the 67th minute.
The Rockets continued to edge their opponents in ball possession leading up to the 80th minute, however, neither side created any notable opportunities in the process.
Ntlonelo Bomelo and Moses Mthembu came close to giving Richards Bay a second goal late on, only to be denied by the TS Galaxy goalkeeper.
Nonetheless, the travelling side walked away with all three points on away soil, while the Rockets recorded their fourth straight defeat in the league.
TS Galaxy: 0
Richards Bay: (1) 1 (Barns 43’)
TS GALAXY: Maseti, Kakora, Silva, Zul, Motaung (Fisher 62’), Mbunjana (Mgaga 84’), Maduna (Ngwenya 72’), Mahlambi (George 84’), Mvelase (Letsoenyo 46’), Zindoga, Letsoalo
RICHARDS BAY: Otieno, Mabuya, Zulu, Mcineka, Sikhakhane, Nashixwa, Barns (Mthethwa 84’), Mthembu, Zikhali, Gumede (Zuke 92’), Mahala (Bomelo 84’)