Publications
Partners
Durban - Lamontville Golden Arrows and Moroka Swallows played to an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Chatsworth stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The result ended a four-game losing streak for the home side, while opposing coach Gordon Igesund would have been disappointed with his charges surrendering precious points after leading 2-1, with just over ten minutes remaining.
However, once Arrows drew level in the first half after falling behind in the first minute of play, they had enough possession and opportunities to kill off the contest, but their finishing proved wasteful yet again.
Swallows got off to a perfect start with a goal from virtually the first move of the match. The Birds earned a throw-in, deep inside Arrows territory which Vuyo Mere darted into the home side's penalty area. Lanky Swallows striker Cheika Cisse flicked Mere's missile into the path of Koketso Mmotong who fired home an unstoppable volley.
Arrows had a chance to draw level in the tenth minute but Greg Etafia was able to tip to safety Musa Bilankulu's headed effort from a set-piece.
As the half wore on, Arrows began to grow in confidence and began to direct relentless raids towards the Swallows penalty area. Most often, Collins Mbesuma was instrumental in putting the visiting defence on the back foot.
It came as no surprise that the burly Zambian had a hand in setting up Arrows equaliser. He collected the ball near the halfway line and played the ball to Siyanda Zwane on the right flank, the fullback responded by picking out Philani Shange's run into the Swallows penalty area with a well weighted cross. Shange steadied himself and slotted past Etafia.
Two minutes later, Arrows had a chance to take the lead but Macbeth Sibaya was well position on the Swallows goal line to keep out Mzivukile Tom's header. Arrows attacked relentlessly until the interval with Mbesuma featuring prominently with some powerful strikes at goal.
Swallows seemed to have found their rhythm after the interval and could have taken the lead in the 56th minute when Sibiya unleashed a blistering strike from distance, but Thulasizwe Khuzwayo in the Arrows goals was able to block the attempt with an acrobatic lunge.
Ten minutes later, the visitors were able to get their noses in front when Siyabonga Nomvethe got between two defenders and headed Oscar Machapa's cross Khuzwayo.
Nomvethe could have had his second goal of the afternoon but he was denied by the Arrows upright when he got his head to Lefa Tsutstulupa's out-swinging corner kick.
Arrows clawed their way back into the contest when Vusimuzi Vilakazi pounced on slack defending in the Swallows area and tapped in the equaliser. The home side tried to grab all three points, but Bilankulu and Mbesuma fired off target from close range.
