City surge into second with victory over Galaxy

Cape Town City have surged into second place on the DStv Premiership log after claiming a 2-0 win over TS Galaxy at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night.

Goals from Darwin Gonzalez and Mduduzi Mdantsane secured the victory for the Citizens, who have moved into second spot on the log, leapfrogging Royal AM (who are not in action this weekend and now have a game in hand).

The Rockets, meanwhile, remain in 14th place on the standings, two points above the relegation playoff zone (15th) currently occupied by Swallows FC, while bottom-of-the-log Baroka FC are two points further back.

Galaxy offered the first threat at goal, 10 minutes into the match, when veteran Lindokuhle Mbatha found space to get away a shot, but his effort was straight into the arms of City goalkeeper Hugo Marques.

The Cape side then claimed the lead on 17 minutes, with Thamsanqa Mkhize’s cross from the right brought under control by Darwin Gonzalez, who had all the time and space in the world to turn and strike home a volley from the middle of the penalty area.

Galaxy should have brought themselves level with two great chances around the half-hour mark – the first saw Bathusi Aubaas, shooting from a tight angle, denied by a fine save from Marques, while Sphiwe Mahlangu managed to round the ‘keeper but struck wide of the mark when looking to find the net from the right of the penalty area.

Marques made a couple more saves from long range efforts in what remained of the half, ensuring that City went into the interval with their 1-0 lead intact.

The hosts made one change at the start of the second half, introducing Thato Mokeke off the bench to replace Relebogile Mokhuoane.

The first clear chance of the second half went the way of Galaxy, with the visitors able to nick the ball in midfield and break up their right flank in a move which ended with a low shot from Aubaas – his effort looked destined for the net, but Marques got just enough of a touch to deflect the ball onto the post.

City were finally able to settle their nerves and seal the three points with a second goal in the 83rd minute. Mduduzi Mdantsane struck home a penalty to make it 2-0, with the spot kick having been won by Craig Martin after a poor loss of possession by the Rockets in their own half.

Galaxy nearly pulled a goal back right at the end of regulation time when Aphelele Teto teed up fellow substitute Augustine Kwem, but Marques was on hand to make another fine save and keep his well-earned clean sheet intact.

The teams will return to DStv Premiership action next Saturday, 14 May, with City hosting AmaZulu and Galaxy welcoming Marumo Gallants.

Cape Town City (1) 2 (Gonzalez 17’, Mdantsane 83’ pen)
TS Galaxy 0

City: Marques, Mkhize, Cupido, Fielies, Mashego, Martin (Morris 85’), Mokhuoane (Mokeke 46’), Nodada (Makola 81’), Mdantsane, Mayo (May 81’), Gonzalez (Fasika 66’)

Galaxy: Buthelezi, Munyai, Sanoka, Msimango, Seedat, Aubaas, Mbunjana, Hlongwane, Mongae (Teto 62’), Mahlangu (Kwem 62’), Mbatha.