Simon Ramabu of Polokwane City challenged by Themba Mantshiyane of Golden Arrows during the Betway Premiership match at King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday.
Image: BackpagePix
Golden Arrows - 0
Stellenbosch - 0
Lamontville Golden Arrows was unfortunate to split the points with Polokwane City after dominating play for 90 somewhat minutes at King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
Junior Dion was back in the Arrows outfit after missing the clash with AmaZulu. The league's top scorer didn't have a good first half though.
Polokwane's Mokibelo Ramabu made a right-footed shot that forced Edward Maova into early action. Polokwane got off a few shots before the 30 minute mark, none of which seemed to bother Maova too much.
Arrows controlled the tempo of the first half, especially after Thabang Matuludi from Polokwane City was given a red card for violent conduct at the half hour mark.
Themba Mantshiyane looked poised down the left flank, getting a few shots at goal before the whistle blew on the first 45. Arrows made a triple substitution at the reset, removing Isaac Cissè and Mantshiyane from the match.
Polokwane looked much stronger in the duels both in the air and on the ground. Arrows defence though, looked much more solid as a unit. Arrows ramped up the pressure at the hour mark, claiming numerous set pieces but still couldn't find the breakthrough.
Nhlanhla Gasa had a brilliant game down the left flank and so too did Polokwane's Ramabu on the opposite side. Siyanda Ndlovu made some pressing moves at the 70th minute mark, just after Jerome Karelse was brought in for Angelo Can Rooi.
Karelse scored the dramatic late equaliser against AmaZulu earlier in the week, that helped Arrows save a point.
Polokwane still chasing the game after 75 minutes but never flinched for a second in defence.
Three yellow cards in the final 10 minutes was some indication as to the intensity of the ending, as Arrows pressed for a winner without luck. Ndlovu pulled off a masterful final ten minutes but in the end both teams had to take a point each.
Jehran Naidoo is sports reporter for Independent Media and social media coordinator of the our YouTube channel The Clutch.