Cosmos taste success at last

Daveyton - Two strikes in quick succession buried Platinum Stars on Saturday as Jomo Cosmos bagged their first victory of the Premiership season in Daveyton.

Neither side took control in the first half, but Cosmos put their stamp on the match in the second period, and while Stars hit back in the dying stages, the hosts held on for a 2-1 win.

Bongani Theletsane took the first shot in anger, but Stars goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane made a superb save to keep the scores level.

Mpontshane came to the rescue again in first-half injury time, tipping a close-range shot from Siyabonga Nhlapo over the bar.

The Stars keeper, however, was left wanting shortly after the restart.

Nhlapo was more patient this time, and only 23 seconds into the second half he delivered a lob from the edge of the area to give the home side the lead.

Four minutes later they stretched the gap when a Bamuza Sono corner found Ousmane Berthe in the box, and the Malian international fired home a powerful header.

Stars fought back, though, and Cosmos goalminder Avril Phali was made to work hard in the last half hour of the game.

Phali made a brilliant save in the 70th minute to keep out a shot from Mbhuyiselo Sambu.

Six minutes later he had no such luck, with Terrence Mandaza latching on to a rebound to thunder a close-range effort past the Cosmos keeper.

Cosmos remain in bottom spot in the standings, despite the win, but will have drawn some confidence as they fight to climb above the relegation zone.

Stars, who have gone five games without a win, continue to struggle, lying only four points ahead of the bottom feeders.