GOLDEN ARROWS VS BIDVEST WITS | ABSA

Competition: PSL
Date: Wednesday, 02 May 2012
Venue: Princess Magodo Stadiun, Kwa Mashu
Kick-off:19:30pm

Lamontville Golden Arrows have been held to a 1-1 draw by struggling BidVest Wits in their Absa Premiership clash at the Princess Magogo Stadium on Wednesday night.

A goal from Russell Mlotshwa looked to have set Golden Arrows on the patch top victory, before Wits equalized late on through substitute Nyiko Tshabangu.

The home side were without the services of the suspended Jabulani Nene, while Collins Mbesuma was missing through injury.

They went into the match with five wins from their last seven home League matches, with just one defeat in that time too, a 1-0 reversal at the hands of Maritzburg United.

Wits have had a nightmare run in the league in 2012: they have yet to win a match since the turn of the year, going 12 outings without a victory.

But Wits also had something of a hold over Abafana Bes’thende, having not lost in Durban since the 2006/07 season.

Clifford Ngobeni had the first real effort on goal but shot wide, before Thamsanqa Gabuza saw his goal-bound effort blocked by Mbulelo Mabizela.

There was drama shortly afterwards when Wits coach Roger de Sa was sent to the stands by referee Charl Theron for something he said, leaving both teams to be led by their assistant coaches with Golden Arrows tactician Muhsin Ertugral already.

Nkosi Gumede had to make a save from Bhongolethu Jayiya of Wits, while at the other end Emille Baron had to be smart to keep out a rasping Dillon Sheppard effort.

The home side were ahead three minutes into the second period though when Mlotshwa let fly from 25-yards and beat Baron, his first goal for Arrows since he burst onto the scene with three in his first three games in September 2010.

It was also Mlotshwa’s first start in a Golden Arrows shirt for over a year, a fine way for him to celebrate.

The home side were still dominating the play, so it was something of a surprise when Wits equalised, Tshabangu finding the space to ram the ball home as the Golden Arrows defence stood static.

Golden Arrows now look forward to their penultimate match of the season, an away trip to Cape Town to face Ajax on May 12.

MATCH STATS

Lamontville Golden Arrows (0) 1 (Mlotshwa 48’)

BidVest Wits (0) 1 (Tshabangu 80’)

Golden Arrows: Gumede, Hadebe, Mvalo, Johannes, Tom, Mlotshwa (Khwela 82’), Mkhize, Khuboni, Ngobeni, Sheppard (Mashego 63’), Gabuza (Ntuli 89’)

Wits: Baron, Mngomezulu, Mabizela, Batabaire, Phillips (Phungwayo 59’), Pule, Maselesa, Jayiya, Sib Vilakazi, Zongo (Tshabangu 76’), Miller (Ritson 54’)