Johannesburg - Bradley Grobler’s late goal saw SuperSport United defeat Orlando Pirates 1-0 in an Absa Premiership match played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.
The first half was a mostly lethargic affair, with the players wisely conserving their energy in the hot afternoon sun, and there were few clear scoring opportunities for either side.
SuperSport started the stronger of the two teams and had a strong penalty appeal in the 10th minute turned down by the referee. Oupa Manyisa was perhaps fortunate not to have conceded a spot kick with what seemed a trip on Lebogang Manyama near the by-line.The
hosts came close to opening the scoring through Thuso Phala just before the
midway point of the first half, but the winger was denied by a good save from
goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.
Pirates
gradually established a foothold in the game and finally called Ronwen Williams
into notable action in the 23rd minute when Kermit Erasmus shot from
just outside the box - his effort resulted in a comfortable save for the
‘keeper.
Four
minutes before the end of regulation time in the first half, Williams produced
an excellent save to touch a Tlou Segolela shot onto the outside of his near
post. Without the young goalkeeper’s slight touch, the ball may well have found
its way into the net.
Chances
continued to be few and far between in the early part of the second half, but
on 63 minutes the persistence of Enocent Mkhabela saw him break through three
challenges before shooting on goal, but Meyiwa produced an excellent diving
save to turn the ball away.
With
15 minutes to play the Buccaneers made a double change to try and spruce up
their attack, but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock moments later. Phala
broke free down the right and fired in a low cross that Bradley Grobler turned
home from close range to make it 1-0 in the 76th minute.
Shortly
thereafter Phala almost made it 2-0 with a shot from a tight angle on the right
flank, but Meyiwa made another excellent save to keep his side in the contest.
The United winger had another great chance on the counter attack in injury
time, but he pulled his shot wide of the far post.