PSL
SuperSport extend PSL lead
2009-04-16 06:55
SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt (File)
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Johannesburg - SuperSport United extended their lead at the head of the Absa Premiership table to six points after drawing 0-0 with Wits in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening.
Matsatsantsa’s closest rivals now have a game in hand on them, but coach Gavin Hunt will probably be satisfied with picking up a point in a tough away game and further consolidating their place at the top of the log as the season nears its climax.
SuperSport created the game’s first scoring chance in the sixth minute, but lanky Liberian Anthony Laffor wasn’t able to direct his headed effort on target and Wits goalkeeper Darren Keet watched the ball bounce wide of his posts.
A minute later Keet was forced into a good save, keeping out Daine Klate’s effort after the left winger had cut inside to meet a cross from striker Glen Salmon. A short while later the diminutive Klate had a chance to score a rare headed goal but he couldn’t find the target.
On 13 minutes the Clever Boys created their first chance, Calvin Kadi shooting wide of goal after getting on the end of a free kick from Marawaan Bantam. Just past the midway point of the first half, Sifiso Myeni tried his luck from all of 25 yards out but the youngster was never going to beat Andre Arendse from that kind of distance.
The last chance of the half fell to the home team, with Fabricio Rodrigues arriving late in the penalty area to meet Kadi’s low cross, but Arendse did just enough to block the ball with his right leg.
SuperSport started the second half on a bright note, with Laffor and Salmon combining to set up an opportunity for the latter, but the veteran striker put his 12 yard shot wide of the Wits goal.
The Students then racked up a succession of scoring chances, with Myeni and Bantam firing shots over the crossbar, while defender Justin Miller, who always looks a threat at set pieces, put an effort wide of goal after meeting a free kick.
On 70 minutes Laffor hit a powerful drive from 18 yards out that fizzed wide of goal and a few minutes later substitute Lerato Chabangu also cracked a long range effort, with similar results.
With just ten minutes to play Laffor again found himself in a shooting position but the assured Keet made a comfortable save. Miller then threatened at the other end for the home team but the defender failed to trouble Arendse.
The result sees SuperSport move to 53 points at the head of the table. Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs are six and nine points behind respectively, both with a game in hand. Wits stay in seventh place on 39 points.