Pirates up to fifth

Second half goals from Isaac Chansa and Tokelo Rantie handed the Buccaneers a deserved win that sees them end a highly successful calendar year on a high note.

Abafana Bes’thende remain a work in progress under Muhsin Ertugral and ended the year placed 12^th on the log, four points above the danger zone.

The first half was a subdued and uninspiring affair, with neither team able to get into any kind of rhythm as far as their attacking play was concerned.

For Pirates, Benni McCarthy looked off the pace and lacked sufficient service and support, while Arrows’ strike partnership of Collins Mbesuma and Thamsanqa Gabuza should have been a handful for Bucs’ backline yet proved to be anything but.

The defences were certainly on top in the first 45 minutes and neither Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs not his counterpart at Arrows, young Nkosingiphile Gumede, were called upon to do any kind of challenging work.

Bucs started the second half looking a lot livelier but it was Arrows who created the first genuine scoring chance of the game in the 54^th minute: Mbesuma drove down the left flank and provided a perfect cross for his partner Gabuza, but the striker directed his shot wide of the near post.

Seven minutes later Pirates made their visitors pay for that miss, taking the lead through midfielder Isaac Chansa. The Zambian got on the end of a fine cross from Daine Klate and arrowed a header into the bottom corner of the net, giving Gumede no chance of a save.

Arrows almost drew level with just under a quarter hour to play when Dillon Sheppard’s free kick flew toward the top corner of Pirates’ net, but Josephs produced a brilliant save to palm the ball away and keep his team in the ascendancy.

Once again the hosts reacted superbly to a chance for Arrows and doubled their lead in the 83^rd minute. Klate was again the architect, providing a great ball into the box from a free kick that substitute Tokelo Rantie fired home to make the game safe for the Buccaneers.