GOLDEN ARROWS VS MARITZBURG UTD | NEDBANK CUP

Competition: Nedbank Cup
Date: Saturday, 31 March 2012
Venue: Princess Magogo Stadium
Kick-off:15:00pm

Lamontville Golden Arrows are out of the 2012 Nedbank Cup after they lost 1-0 to provincial rivals Maritzburg United at a windy Princess Magogo Stadium in their second round clash on Saturday afternoon.

The only goal of the game was scored by Zimbabwean striker Cuthbert Malajila with 17 minutes to go, this after Maritzburg had played the majority of the second half with 10 men.

The home side dominated the match, but could not force the ball home as a combination of excellent goalkeeping and bad luck kept them at bay.

Collins Mbesuma had an early chance for the hosts, but shot straight at Man of the Match Shu-Aib Walters in the Maritzburg goal when well placed.

United’s Byrone Hendricks picked up a booking for a rash challenge and it was Abafana Bes’thende who would be the next to go close to scoring.

Philane Shange was picked out at the back post, but Walters made a great save from his effort on goal, tipping the ball over the bar.

Mbesuma had another excellent opportunity 10 minutes before the break, connecting well with Siyabonga Nkosi’s cross, but Walters again made a fantastic save, this time with his feet.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men soon after the restart when Kurt Lentjies received his marching orders for a foul on the lively Shange.

By now it was all Golden Arrows and Mbesuma again went close, forcing Walters into a brilliant low save with a shot that looked destined for the back of the net.

But the home side were stunned when it was Maritzburg who took the lead. Wayne Matle’s free-kick was not cleared and Malajila netted from close-range to score his first goal in South African football having joined United in January.

Golden Arrows knew it was not to be their day when Dillon Sheppard’s thunderous shot came back off the upright and Mor Diouf cleared off the line from the follow-up by Mbesuma.

Abafana Bes’thende will now concentrate on finishing strongly in their Absa Premiership campaign, with their next fixture away at league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday.

MATCH STATS
Lamontville Golden Arrows 0
Maritzburg United (0) 1 (Malajila 73′)