14 January 2008

United lose out to Pirates



A second half fight back was not enough as Maritzburg United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates at the Johannesburg on Wednesday night.

Maritzburg came close to scoring after just six minutes when John Arwuah’s header flew goalwards, but Bucs keeper Moeneeb Josephs made a brilliant save.

United were on the back-foot after 13 minutes when Fanyana Dhladhla was adjudged to have brought down Teko Modise inside the box and Lucas Thwala buried the resultant spot kick with a thumping penalty, which gave keeper Tashriq Goldman no chance.

Following the goal, United managed to settle into a rhythm and played some good passing football at times, but failed to find penetration up front as the Pirates defence held firm.

Pirates second goal, scored in the 39th minute, appeared to be rather fortuitous as Katlego Masehgo's cross-cum-shot from out wide drifted into the far corner of the net.

Maritzburg came out fighting in the second half, refusing to admit defeat as they took the game to the Buccaneers.

And they were rewarded for their endeavours when Dhladhla pulled a goal back in the 64th minute with a sublime chip from the edge of the area.

In the 75th minute Goldman made a fine save from a Modise rocket to keep the visiting side in with a chance.

But ten minutes from time United were reduced to 10 men when Dhladhla was red carded for a challenge on Josephs - it was a cruel blow for the Team of Choice as replays suggested that a yellow card could have been suffice for an incident that if anything, was a little bit careless.

TEAMS

Pirates: Josephs; Mahamutsa, Thwala, Seema, Lekgwathi, Modise, Mhlongo, Kamwendo (Mothibantwa 70'), Mabalane, Mashego (Chenene 91'), Mushangazhike (Mthembu 46').

United: Goldman; Petersen, Mkonza, Dikilu (Dkhanye 87'), Ngwepe, Dhladhla, Mbemba (Ndlovu 51'), Arwuah, Tsabedze, Davids, Mngomezulu (Simba 56')

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