TS Galaxy midfielder Nhlanhla Mgaga in action at the Mbombela Stadium
Image: TS Galaxy
TS Galaxy (1) 2
Dolly 13’ Dithejane 94’
Golden Arrows (0) 0
Golden Arrows’ bad run continued as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Galaxy at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
Abafana Besthende could not break their poor form as their winless run extended to four games.
The Rockets on the other hand secured their first win in three games and took a step towards securing a top eight finish.
Ex-Kaizer Chiefs man Dolly rolled back the years as he opened the scoring with an effort from a long way out.
The midfielder received the ball into empty space in front of the Arrows defence and with no one closing him down, he caught Ismail Watenga with low-drive to give his side the lead after 13 minutes.
Second half substitute Puso Dithejane then came on and struck the final blow in stoppage time to take all three points for his team.
Having had a disrupted last two weeks with a game postponed and another called off at halfway, the visitors were itching to return to the field and finally have an opportunity to claim three points.
Arrows had hit somewhat of a slump in recent games, forcing the technical team to freshen up the team with the likes of Sibusiso Sibeko, Bongani Cele getting a run up front.
The hosts also had ambition of addressing their bad run as they made two changes to the team that suffered a heavy defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns last time out.
The experienced Dolly and Qobolwakhe Sibanda replaced the suspended Victor Letsoalo as well as Solomon Letsoalo in the starting eleven in Mpumalanga.
Surprisingly, Arrows began the match the brighter of the two teams despite conceding early on and should’ve taken the lead moments before Dolly broke the deadlock.
This encounter was always expected to be a tight contest and that’s how it was for the opening stanza.
Arrows’ first serious chance of the half took until the 36 minute to unfold, via a set-piece.
Captain Nduduzo Sibiya curled in a dangerous cross into the near post but Galaxy keeper Ira Tape was on hand to fluff out a Cele flick even though it took some doing from the Ivory Coast born shot-stopper.
Abafana Besthende were determined to find an equaliser and perhaps should’ve found one in the 43rd minute through Angelo Van Rooi.
The speedy winger was found with a delightful low cross at the back post by Cele but his touch let him down with the net gaping in front of him.
With Galaxy leading, change would’ve been expected from the visitors in terms of personnel or formations,
Therefore it came as no surprise when Ryan Moon and Olwethu Ncube came on in the 60th minute to replace Cele upfront as well as Nhlanhla Zwane.
Despite those changes as well as late surge, Arrows could not get anything out of the entire and left pitch without any points on the night.
Arrows will have the mountainous task of stopping runaway champions Sundowns on Wednesday while Galaxy welcome a wounded SuperSport United to the Mbombela Stadium.