Maroons make short work of Arrows
Stellenbosch reclaimed second place in the DStv Premiership after they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Golden Arrows at the Danie Craven Stadium on Wednesday.
Steve Barker's side had dropped to third in the standings on goal difference after Orlando Pirates beat Cape Town City 2-0 on Tuesday to go level with them on 46 points.
However, the Maroons extended their unbeaten run to 18 matches with a third win on the spin to restore their three-point cushion to the Buccaneers, leaving Abafana Bes'thende down in 11th spot.
Job done 👊
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) May 1, 2024
Stellenbosch FC ③-⓪ Golden Arrows pic.twitter.com/waRtUHBDJR
The hosts got off to a dream start when Anicet Oura cut inside from the left and clipped the ball into the danger area for Devin Titus to steer a glancing header inside the right post in the opening minute of the game.
2' – 𝗚𝗢𝗔𝗟! Devin Titus has given us an early lead after heading home a perfectly weighted cross from Anicet Oura.
— Stellenbosch FC (@StellenboschFC) May 1, 2024
Stellenbosch FC ①-⓪ Golden Arrows pic.twitter.com/c2rZDIwmyo
Arrows looked to respond and Siyanda Mthanti drove towards goal in the ninth minute before lining up a shot that took a deflection, allowing Sage Stephens to gather the ball comfortably.
Stellies continued to cause problems for the visitors and Iqraam Rayners had the ball in the back of the net on 32 minutes, only to be flagged offside, while Andre de Jong also had a goal disallowed six minutes later after mis-timing his run.
The Maroons went into the halftime break one goal to the good and Stephens did well to preserve their lead on 65 minutes with a smart save to his right to keep out Olwethu Ncube's shot.
But in their search for an equaliser, Abafana Bes'thende were hit on the counter as Oura latched onto a measured through-ball from Jayden Adams to tuck his shot past the advancing Isima Watenga in the 69th minute.
Two quickly became three as Rayners received the ball from Sihle Nduli and buried his shot beyond Watenga on 71 minutes to wrap up the win.
Titus threatened to score again eight minutes from time after finding himself in an unmarked position at the near post, but Watenga pulled off a superb save to deny him from close range.
Stellenbosch (1) 3 (Titus 1', Oura 69', Rayners 71')
Golden Arrows 0
Stellenbosch: S. Stephens, D. van Rooyen (K. Jurgens 83'), T. Moloisane, I. Toure, F. Basadien (Q. Sibande 83'), D. Titus, S. Nduli, J. Adams (N. Mgaga 83'), A. Oura (A. Van Wyk 75'), I. Rayners, A. de Jong (G. Palace 75').
Golden Arrows: I. Watenga, B. Theron, J. Mwengani, G. Shitolo, B. Cross, N. Dlamini, L. Dube (O. Ncube 62'), S. Mthanti (T. Zuke 63'), N. Sibiya, K. Mutizwa, L. Nguse (R. Moon 86').
Stunning Stellies 🔥
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 1, 2024
Stellenbosch have torn Arrows to shreds here 🤩👇
📺 Stream #DStvPrem live: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/hetQ1ADqMY
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