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Pietermaritzburg - Maritzburg United have registered their first ever PSL win over Free State Stars when they defeated them 3-2 at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Tuesday night.
Rheece Evans netted a brace and Bongolwethu Jayiya scored the third for the Team of Choice, before Ea Lla Koto fought back late through a deflected strike from Danny Venter and an own goal from Ruben Cloete.
United broke the deadlock in the 6th minute when Evans volleyed home at the far post after Frank Sarfo-Gyamfi’s corner was flicked into his path.
Henyekane had a chance to equalise for the visitors in the 14th minute when he got behind the United defence, only to be denied by a brilliant stop from Shu-aib Walters.
Evans then grabbed his brace in the 21st minute, making a late run into the far post to head past Tshepo Motsoeneng, connecting with a corner from Bongolwethu Jayiya.
Henyekane had another golden opportunity in the 27th minute when he found himself one-on-one with Walters, but this time he dragged his shot narrowly wide of the post.
The Free State Stars forward did get another effort on target in the 35th minute, but his dipping freekick was superbly kept out by Walters.
Daniel Cardoso then redeemed himself well in the 44th minute when he cleared Jayiya’s goalbound effort of the line after he had been guilty of losing possession to Orlando Smeekes on the left.
Ea Lla Koto tried to pull a goal back early in the second half but Salmaan King drew a routine save from Walters in the 54th minute, before Angelo Kerspuy missed the target two minutes later.
Six minutes later Sarfo-Gyamfi had a great chance to extend the lead when a long ball was headed into his path on the right side of the box, only to rush his shot effort wide.
Smeekes used good pace and skill to skip past his marker on the left in the 64th minute before drilling a low shot which was gathered comfortably by Motsoeneng.
However, the Stars goalkeeper was left rooted on his line in the 73rd minute as Jayiya curled his freekick into the top right corner for Maritzburg’s third goal of the match.
Venter then had an effort saved by Walters in the 79th minute but six minutes later he did find the back of the net after his shot ricocheted off Robyn Johannes.
There was more drama in added time when Stars reduced the deficit through a headed own goal from Cloete, but it was too little too late as United held on for maximum points.
Scorers:
Maritzburg United: (2) 3 (Evans 6’ 21’, Jayiya 71’)
Free State Stars: (0) 2 (Venter 85’, Cloete o.g. 94’)
Teams:
Maritzburg United: Walters, Cloete, Johannes, Evans, Smeekes (Mandaza 66’), Booysen D, Sarfo-Gyamfi (Zulu 74’), De Jongh, Jayiya, Sekotlong (Hartog 82’), Morton
Free State Stars: Motsoeneng, Masehe, Ouro-Akoriko, Cardoso, Thlone, Kerspuy, Abraw (Basit 56’), King (Venter 59’), Basie, Yende (Nomandela 73’), Henyekane
Rheece Evans netted a brace and Bongolwethu Jayiya scored the third for the Team of Choice, before Ea Lla Koto fought back late through a deflected strike from Danny Venter and an own goal from Ruben Cloete.
United broke the deadlock in the 6th minute when Evans volleyed home at the far post after Frank Sarfo-Gyamfi’s corner was flicked into his path.
Henyekane had a chance to equalise for the visitors in the 14th minute when he got behind the United defence, only to be denied by a brilliant stop from Shu-aib Walters.
Evans then grabbed his brace in the 21st minute, making a late run into the far post to head past Tshepo Motsoeneng, connecting with a corner from Bongolwethu Jayiya.
Henyekane had another golden opportunity in the 27th minute when he found himself one-on-one with Walters, but this time he dragged his shot narrowly wide of the post.
The Free State Stars forward did get another effort on target in the 35th minute, but his dipping freekick was superbly kept out by Walters.
Daniel Cardoso then redeemed himself well in the 44th minute when he cleared Jayiya’s goalbound effort of the line after he had been guilty of losing possession to Orlando Smeekes on the left.
Ea Lla Koto tried to pull a goal back early in the second half but Salmaan King drew a routine save from Walters in the 54th minute, before Angelo Kerspuy missed the target two minutes later.
Six minutes later Sarfo-Gyamfi had a great chance to extend the lead when a long ball was headed into his path on the right side of the box, only to rush his shot effort wide.
Smeekes used good pace and skill to skip past his marker on the left in the 64th minute before drilling a low shot which was gathered comfortably by Motsoeneng.
However, the Stars goalkeeper was left rooted on his line in the 73rd minute as Jayiya curled his freekick into the top right corner for Maritzburg’s third goal of the match.
Venter then had an effort saved by Walters in the 79th minute but six minutes later he did find the back of the net after his shot ricocheted off Robyn Johannes.
There was more drama in added time when Stars reduced the deficit through a headed own goal from Cloete, but it was too little too late as United held on for maximum points.
Scorers:
Maritzburg United: (2) 3 (Evans 6’ 21’, Jayiya 71’)
Free State Stars: (0) 2 (Venter 85’, Cloete o.g. 94’)
Teams:
Maritzburg United: Walters, Cloete, Johannes, Evans, Smeekes (Mandaza 66’), Booysen D, Sarfo-Gyamfi (Zulu 74’), De Jongh, Jayiya, Sekotlong (Hartog 82’), Morton
Free State Stars: Motsoeneng, Masehe, Ouro-Akoriko, Cardoso, Thlone, Kerspuy, Abraw (Basit 56’), King (Venter 59’), Basie, Yende (Nomandela 73’), Henyekane
