5 November 2008

Maritzburg lose derby

Missed chances cost Maritzburg United as they went down 1-0 to Golden Arrows at the Woodburn Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

The Team of Choice were far superior when it came to creating chances, but the final touch eluded them and they were forced to succumb to a solitary goal scored by Arrows early in the opening stanza.

The game got off to a fast-paced start and it was Arrows who had the first chance of the match after three minutes when Kagiso Senamela shot wide of goal from the edge of the area.

In the sixth minute the on-fire Richard Henyekane tested Hunter Gilstrap from 25-yards out, but the United keeper was up to the task.

Elias Ngwepe enjoyed Maritzburg's first opportunity on goal, but his 18-yard shot in the seventh minute was off target. Two minutes later Collen Zimba also failed to hit the target from similar range for the Team of Choice.

Abafana Bes-thende drew first blood in the 14th minute when Kagisho Dikgacoi, from the left hand side, set up the prolific Henyekane, who slotted home from a central position.

A 32nd minute cross from Peter Petersen located Sam Ndlovu, but the midfielder saw his header saved by Arrows keeper Helton Da Rocha.

United finished the half strongly, applying relentless pressure on the Durban side's defence.

In the 42nd minute Lynch Pule was unable to finish with a close range shot, as did Ndlovu a minute later. Just before the half time break Petersen was presented with a chance from inside the box, but his effort was saved by Da Rocha.

There were few shots on goal in the early stages of the second half, with Arrows' Njabulo Manqanya going wide of the target with a shot from the edge of the area in the 53rd minute one of the few highlights.

Substitute Junior Khanye was lively for United and in the 68th minute he was unfortunate not to notch the equaliser when his header was saved by Da Rocha.

United, boosted by three positive substitutions continued to take the game to Arrows, but struggled to make inroads into a determined defence.

In the 74 th minute substitute Lebogang Kukame did his best to fashion a chance with an acrobatic overhead kick, but the ball flew over the bar.

Fellow sub Lucky Maselesele then missed another good chance for The Team of Choice when he was denied by Da Rocha from close range.

In the end United could just not have the beating of the Brazilian goal keeper and it is now back to the drawing board as they prepare for the game against Wits next week.

TEAMS

MUFC: Gilstrap, Dikilu, Ngwepe, Petersen, Aka, Arwuah, Mbemba (Maselesele 81’), Mngomezulu, Ndlovu, Pule (Kukame 64’), Zimba (Khanye 56’)

Arrows: Da Rocha, Musonda, Mvalo, Bilankulu, Tom, Manqanya (Vezi 76’), Shange, Dikgacoi, Henyekane, Senamela (Nale 80’), Kombe