PSL
FS Stars pile on Santos' woes
2012-05-02 22:14
Cape Town - Santos remain entrenched in the relegation zone after they lost 1-0 to Free State Stars at the Athlone Stadium on Wednesday night.
Santos had assistant coach Duncan Crowie back in charge for this game, with head coach Mart Nooij reported to be in hospital with an unspecified ailment.
Crowie saw his team making a reasonable start with early half chances to Phikolomzi Khefile and Eleazar Rodgers.
But, after that the effort and desire from the Peoples' Team tailored off somewhat as the Free State side grew in confidence and used their superior pace and mobility to dominate most of the remainder of the first half.
The visitors scored what turned out to be the winning goal after just eight minutes when Dove Wome took advantage of a mistake in the middle of the park to fire home a well-hit volley.
Santos started the game a stronger side in the second half, looking more of a threat in their opponents' half.
There were chances for Tawonga Chimodzi, who fired just over the bar, and then for Bheki Shabangu, who hit his shot over the bar.
Stars could have managed a second goal when Edeward Manqele ran in to a one-on-one situation with Pa Demba Touray, but the giant 'keeper did well to keep his team in the match.
At the other end, Santos continued to press forward but Nasief Morris fired in a relatively tame free kick and Shabangu fired a decent effort over the bar.
There was also a late chance for Rodgers, but Soriola Gege did superbly to get in the block, denying Santos a chance to salvage a point.