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Cape Town - Free Stare Stars moved into second in the Absa Premiership standings after recording a 2-0 victory over Baroka FC in their league clash at Goble Park on Saturday afternoon.
Match summary
Luc Eymael's side were full value for the win as Goodman Dlamini opened the scoring on 32 minutes before Siphelele Mthembu added a second with 66 minutes on the clock.
Full report
Stars started well with captain Paulus Masehe firing just over on six minutes as he connected to a pass from Mthembu on the edge of the area. Rooi Mahamutsa then saw his goal-bound header cleared off the line from a Sinethemba Jantjie corner.
Baroka were struggling to get their passing game going in front of a well drilled Stars midfield and defence, and while Talent Chawapiwa was able swing a cross into the Stars box, his delivery was over-hit and bypassed everyone in the area.
Harris Tchilimbou then headed a Patrick Phungwayo cross wide of the mark as Gift Motupa twice had opportunities to fire in at goal but twice missed the target.
Sifiso Mbhele did well to close down Collins Makgaka as he looked to work space for a shot on 18 minutes, ahead of a effort from Jantjie that flew just wide.
Dlamini though always looked like scoring when he picked up the ball on 31 minutes, and fired a curled effort home past a despairing Oscarine Masuluke.
Having controlled play well for much of the first half while registering nine shots, with three on target to Baroka's two off target, the home side continued to attack well at the start of the second period.
Badra Sangare was well placed to deny Motupa from close range, while Mthembu was just unable to get a shot away on 55 minutes following a good move forward from Stars.
But Mthembu was on hand with 65 minutes on the clock to tap home a Nyiko Mobbie pass for the second goal of the afternoon.
New striker signing Maxime Cecil Cosse was introduced for Stars for Dlamini on 74 minutes and he immediately looked to make impact by defending from the front with the three points all but sealed.
And Baroka were afforded a rare opportunity late on when Khutso Mohwatseleng picked up the ball inside the Stars box, only to sky his effort well over the goal.
The match ended 2-0 with Free State Stars maintaining their impressive run in the league and moved into second place on the log behind Mamelodi Sundowns.
